Podcasts about finding her voice

Singer-songwriter Heleina Zara reflects on embracing vulnerability, drawing inspiration from everyday life and using music to connect with audiences while proudly representing her Filipino heritage. - Ibinahagi ng singer-songwriter na si Heleina Zara ang halaga ng pagiging bukas sa emosyon, pagkuha ng inspirasyon sa pang-araw-araw na buhay, at paggamit ng musika para makakonekta sa madla habang buong-pagmamaking nirerepresenta ang kanyang lahing Pilipino.

  Katisha Paul is one of the most influential Indigenous leaders of her generation. In Part One of this special two-part conversation, she shares the deeply personal story behind her advocacy and leadership. Katisha reflects on her childhood, family, cultural identity, and ancestry. She speaks openly about surviving abuse, growing up in remote communities, and carrying responsibilities far beyond her years. She also discusses how she learned to use her voice after years of silence and why protecting others remains at the center of everything she does.  This episode explores: Growing up as the oldest of nine children The teachings that shaped her worldview Childhood trauma and resilience Finding her voice after years of silence Indigenous identity and cultural grounding Family, community, and responsibility Leadership through lived experience Intergenerational strength and excellence What people often misunderstand about her journey The foundations of the work she leads today Part Two will explore Katisha's work in Indigenous governance, sovereignty, climate leadership, international advocacy, repatriation, and her vision for the future. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E1dn1iooEfg Contact Katisha Paul NEPENEḴ https://nepenek.ca/ https://www.instagram.com/nepenekgroup/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/katisha-paul-b6ab0235b/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katisha.paul/ Union of BC Indian Chiefs https://www.ubcic.bc.ca/ UN Global Indigenous Youth Caucus https://www.globalindigenousyouthcaucus.org/ https://www.facebook.com/GlobalIndigenousYouthCaucus/ Tsartlip First Nation https://tsartlip.com/  

In this episode of QSJ Radio's MadLuh: Digging Up the Underground, we sit down with CZK to explore her remarkable journey from Cameroon to Bangladesh and ultimately Harlem, New York, where she embraced her calling as a recording artist. We discuss the stories behind her music, the inspiration for songs like STSL (Say That ShT Loud), I Chose Me, and BLUES, as well as how her global experiences and community involvement—including the Giveback for Shawn Initiative—continue to shape her purpose as an artist. Join us for an honest conversation about resilience, identity, creativity, and the power of using your voice to inspire others.

"I thought this was the opportunity every young actress dreams about." When Heidi Thomas received a call from her agent, she believed her career was about to take off. An entertainment icon wanted to mentor promising young talent, and everything—from the airfare to the hotel—was being paid for. It felt like the chance of a lifetime. In this episode of Qavah, Heidi shares the story of her upbringing in Colorado, her love of music, her journey through anxiety, and the unexpected phone call that set her life on a path she never could have imagined. With honesty and remarkable courage, she reflects on the warning signs she couldn't recognize at the time and how years later she found the strength to confront her past. This conversation is not only about surviving trauma—it's about resilience, healing, and the enduring power of hope. Join us for Part 1 of Heidi's extraordinary story, and don't miss Part 2, where she shares the next chapter of her journey toward justice and healing.

Courtney was a fit, 25-year-old fitness coach when she walked into the hospital to deliver her first baby. She hoped for a natural birth, but instead experienced a classic cascade of interventions and medical gaslighting, leaving the experience with trauma she never expected. Sharing her story with others has helped Courtney find healing. She also holds hope for a redemptive, different birth experience in a future pregnancy. If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on  Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at contactus@healingbirth.net Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes writer, podcaster, and comedian Courtney Kocak, who grew up in small-town Minnesota and now splits time between Austin and Los Angeles, to discuss her debut memoir, Girl Gone Wild. Courtney traces her musical influences from classic rock radio and movie soundtracks to college-era rap, indie, and classic rock, and shares how reading and acting shaped her love of storytelling. She recounts joining the Girls Gone Wild tour via a Craigslist ad, realizing the behind-the-scenes coercion and exploitation, and leaving after seven weeks amid depression and financial stress. The conversation follows her pivot from acting to writing, essaying, and podcasting, including her long-running show Private Parts Unknown, plus The Bleeders and Podcast Bestie, and touches on Stevie Nicks, Lilith Fair, stand-up goals, and the “Thunder Road” question of whether Mary gets in the car. https://www.courtneykocak.com/ 01:28 Meet Courtney Kocak 03:38 Growing Up With Music 07:10 College Tastes And Mixes 09:36 Books And Acting Bug 12:17 Acting School And Regrets 16:00 Girls Gone Wild Origins 19:20 Behind The Scenes Reality 20:52 Leaving The Tour 23:41 Finding Meaning Afterward 25:49 Funny Book Chapters 27:01 Leaving Acting for Writing 31:02 Finding Her Voice 31:43 Stevie Nicks Obsession 33:47 Private Parts Unknown 39:39 Creative Bucket List 40:50 Stand-Up and Perspective 44:41 Thunder Road Mary Debate 47:31 Where to Find Courtney 49:05 Final Sign-Off and Blessing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes writer, podcaster, and comedian Courtney Kocak, who grew up in small-town Minnesota and now splits time between Austin and Los Angeles, to discuss her debut memoir, Girl Gone Wild. Courtney traces her musical influences from classic rock radio and movie soundtracks to college-era rap, indie, and classic rock, and shares how reading and acting shaped her love of storytelling. She recounts joining the Girls Gone Wild tour via a Craigslist ad, realizing the behind-the-scenes coercion and exploitation, and leaving after seven weeks amid depression and financial stress. The conversation follows her pivot from acting to writing, essaying, and podcasting, including her long-running show Private Parts Unknown, plus The Bleeders and Podcast Bestie, and touches on Stevie Nicks, Lilith Fair, stand-up goals, and the “Thunder Road” question of whether Mary gets in the car. https://www.courtneykocak.com/ 00:00 Patreon Thanks 01:28 Meet Courtney Kocak 03:38 Growing Up With Music 07:10 College Tastes And Mixes 09:36 Books And Acting Bug 12:17 Acting School And Regrets 16:00 Girls Gone Wild Origins 19:20 Behind The Scenes Reality 20:52 Leaving The Tour 23:41 Finding Meaning Afterward 25:49 Funny Book Chapters 27:01 Leaving Acting for Writing 31:02 Finding Her Voice 31:43 Stevie Nicks Obsession 33:47 Private Parts Unknown 39:39 Creative Bucket List 40:50 Stand-Up and Perspective 44:41 Thunder Road Mary Debate 47:31 Where to Find Courtney 49:05 Final Sign-Off and Blessing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leadership isn't about changing who you are; it's about becoming the fullest expression of who you were meant to be.   SUMMARY What does quiet leadership look like? From military deployments to the flight deck at Alaska Airlines, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kimberly Ford '90 explains how preparation, trust and listening can be just as powerful as command.    COL. FORD'S TOP 10 LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS 1. Leadership doesn't have to be loud to be effective. Ford's journey demonstrates that quiet, thoughtful leaders can inspire just as deeply as outspoken ones. Authenticity is what earns trust and influence. 2. Feedback can become the catalyst for transformation. Receiving a poor leadership evaluation at the U.S. Air Force Academy was painful, but instead of allowing it to define her, Ford used it as the beginning of her growth as a leader. 3. Finding your voice begins by believing your perspective matters. Confidence wasn't something Ford was born with. It was developed through mentors, experience and the courage to share her passion with others. 4. The best mentors don't remove fear, they help you move through it. From the jump master to her pilot instructors, Ford's mentors equipped her with the mindset and confidence to act despite uncertainty rather than waiting for fear to disappear. 5. Preparation creates confidence under pressure. Chair flying, visualization, repetition and mastering the fundamentals allowed Ford to perform when the stakes were highest. Excellence begins long before execution. 6. Trust is earned through competence and consistency. Whether flying combat missions or commercial aircraft, Ford explains that teams build trust quickly when they know each member is prepared, dependable and committed to doing their job well. 7. Leadership must adapt to the mission. Effective leaders recognize when decisive command is required and when empathy, patience and service are the qualities the moment demands. 8. Listening is one of leadership's greatest strengths. Ford's approach emphasizes seeking feedback, understanding different perspectives and creating an environment where others feel heard before decisions are made. 9. Resilience is built through daily disciplines, not extraordinary moments. Grounding practices, physical fitness, reflection, continual learning and intentional self-care help leaders remain ready for whatever challenges come next. 10. Great leaders remain lifelong students. Ford's advice to her younger self reflects her enduring philosophy: believe in yourself, seek mentors, embrace feedback, learn from mistakes and never stop growing.   CHAPTERS 00:00:13 – Meet Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kimberly Ford, USAFA Class of 1990 00:00:57 – The "Rate Your Neighbor" Moment that Changed Everything 00:05:33 – Finding Her Voice & Honoring the Tuskegee Airmen and WASPs 00:08:34 – Family, Faith and the Foundation of Leadership 00:11:00 – Jump School: Fear, Courage and Asking for Help 00:15:15 – Developing a Warrior Mindset Through Preparation 00:17:24 – Transitioning from Military Aviation to Alaska Airlines 00:20:06 – Leading Under Pressure in Combat Operations 00:23:38 – Adapting Your Leadership to Fit the Mission 00:27:28 – Daily Habits That Make Better Leaders 00:29:43 – Advice to Her Younger Self & the Power of Mentorship 00:31:26 – Final Reflections: Leading with Quiet Confidence     ABOUT COL. FORD BIO Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kimberly Ford, USAFA Class of 1990, is a distinguished combat aviator, senior mobility leader and lifelong advocate for aviation, leadership, and service. During her 25-year U.S. Air Force career, she served as a KC-135 and C-17 command pilot, instructor pilot and mission commander, logging more than 11,000 flight hours while supporting combat, humanitarian and contingency operations around the world. She also served in strategic leadership roles at Air Mobility Command, helping shape enterprise-level operations and leadership development across the Air Force's global mobility mission. Following her military service, Col. Ford has continued to lead through aviation and community engagement as a commercial airline pilot, board leader and champion for preserving the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots while expanding opportunities in aerospace and STEM education. A recipient of numerous military and civilian honors, including induction into the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Hall of Fame, she remains dedicated to mentoring the next generation of leaders through a life defined by service, resilience and authentic leadership. CONNECT WITH KIM LINKEDIN CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org Please note: we are only considering USAFA graduates as guests at this time. Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE AT USAFA.ORG/LONGBLUELEADERSHIP AND ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT Guest, Matthew Ayers '99  |  Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99    Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz 0:00 Sometimes leadership isn't about speaking the loudest; it's about finding the courage to speak when your voice matters most. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99; Long Blue Leadership starts now. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:13 Today's guest is Air Force Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kimberly Ford, United States Air Force Academy, Class of 1990. She has had a remarkable career through KC-135, C-17 command pilot, instructor pilot, senior air mobility command leader. Today she serves as an Alaska Airlines pilot, aviation advocate, and champion — preserving the legacy of our Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots, WASP, while inspiring the next generation of aerospace leaders. I should also add that Kim is our 2025 — one of our 2025 recipients — of the Leadership Achievement Award. Kim, we're so glad to have you here. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kimberly Ford 0:53 Thank you so much. It's just an honor to be here to speak with you today. Thank you. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:57 Absolutely. And so, here on Long Blue Leadership, we like to jump right on to a really key moment in your life, and one, if we dial back the time a little bit, goes back to your three-degree year at the Air Force Academy, and they had something at the time, I think you mentioned it was “Rate Your Neighbor,” so something that you all did, and you scored a D. And I'm curious on what that was about, and then can you take us back to that conversation that time. Col. Kimberly Ford 1:23 Correct, they had something at the time called Rate Your Neighbor, and that called for your classmates, your peers, people above you and below you, rating your ability to be a leader in the Cadet Wing and in your squadron, and then eventually a leader in the Air Force, and so everyone in your class would get a rating. I had come into the to the meeting thinking that I had done really well, and that my passion was shining through, and so imagine my surprise when I found out that I received the equivalent of a D grade. My air officer commanding was empathetic, but he was also very concerned, and what I did appreciate was he did give me the chance to respond. At that time, I just felt really disappointed. You know, I'd come into the Academy, I really wanted to be in aerospace, I was really excited about STEM. I was so happy to have the opportunity to be there, and so I must admit that I really felt crushed when I heard his words, that I hadn't done as well as I thought I had. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 2:32 It almost sounds a little bit like a 360-degree kind of assessment. What, in particular, I guess attributed to that, kind of that score, that rating from your peers? What did they see, I guess, in that to give you that score? Col. Kimberly Ford 2:49 Yes, you know, looking back with my lens now, I know that there are different types of leadership, different styles of leadership, but I think at the time the type of leadership that was expected was someone who was assertive, who was upfront, who was more sort of direct. At the time, I was a young cadet who definitely needed to be mentored and learn some skills. I think what they saw in me was someone who was very quiet. I had not had the opportunity or taken the opportunity to speak about who I was, my background, my passion for aviation, someone who didn't make eye contact, and you know, someone who maybe didn't greet them on a personal level, who didn't check in before a session, during a session and maybe after a session. And so they just really weren't sure about my aptitude, and I can understand that big picture. I was someone who definitely needed to be mentored and definitely needed to learn those skills in a style that was commensurate with my personality and what I had to bring to the table. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 3:55 Well, you talked about being passionate and you went in feeling really good and hoping that it shined through. How did you adjust, maybe, or adapt after that feedback to bring your voice and that passion forward. What did that look like in your leadership journey at that time? Col. Kimberly Ford 4:10 Yes, I remember the air officer commanding said, “Hey, you know, let's talk about this. What do you — what are you bringing to the table?” And so I said, “Wow, I'm someone who wants to be here. I'm someone who wants to fly. I am someone who wants to give back to my country, and I want to serve my nation.” And so, after that, I'm lucky that I had a good group of mentors, both peers and older cadets, and I was able to sit down with them and get that constructive feedback and constructive criticism. So I was able to speak with my flight commander about, you know, goals that I have. I want to do, you know, eventually I want to do the soaring program. I want to do — which I may have already finished by that point. I want to do the T-41 program, which was the solo program at the time. I would like to be a pilot. And so I really practiced making eye contact, speaking about my goals, sharing my passion, and just really checking in and making sure I receive that feedback from my leadership, and then also points where I could improve. You know, as an 18-, 19-year-old, you know, young woman who was very shy, that was a lot for me. But it just — so it took a lot of courage, so I'm really proud of myself for being able to get there, to be able to interact and have those conversations that I needed to have with my cadet leadership at the time. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 5:33 Well, let's fast forward now, because I feel like that voice that you found has been really instrumental in some of the advocacy and work that you've done around really highlighting the legacies of our Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Air Service Pilots, or WASPs. Can you talk about, you know, where that came into play, or how finding your voice, what that looked like, and what some of that work, important work, was that you did? Col. Kimberly Ford 5:59 Yeah, yeah, I will go back. When I was a young woman, still in high school, I had really started to show interest in aviation, and we didn't know a lot of people who were pilots or in aerospace, and so what my parents did for me, especially my mother, who loved to read, is she found me a lot of books, and she found me books about the Tuskegee Airmen and about the Women's Air Service Pilots as examples. And so I read about these courageous, you know, young people who were serving during World War II, all of the challenges and barriers that they had to overcome, and the life lessons that they had to share. And so I really took that to heart, and that really helped to inspire me during my career. I had the opportunity to speak with some Tuskegee Airmen during my Air Force career by attending conferences. As I moved back to the Seattle area, when I came back to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, I had the opportunity to serve at the Seattle Museum of Flight and serve in panels. We would talk about subjects such as the Berlin Airlift, some of the flying out of a Ramitelli in Italy, and just sort of passing along those leadership lessons. I had also joined my Sam Bruce Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen. We were able to work on some youth programs and grow them from very small programs to larger programs, which really passed along those important leadership lessons to young people and inspired them on their journeys to becoming pilots. I had another opportunity to volunteer with the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the Women's Air Service Pilots. So, I went to Washington, D.C. I was able to pass along the Congressional Gold Medal to June Lecky and spend time with her family and learn about her service, so I always called her my WASP. I'm lucky that I was able to go to the museum, the Women's Air Service Pilot Museum in Sweetwater, Texas, and have the chance to interview WASPs, volunteer alongside of WASPs, and as well pass along my message of my service and sort of help to grow young people. Through my Sam Bruce Chapter, I met mentors such as Bill Holloman, who was an original Tuskegee Airmen, and Ed Drummond, who shared their stories of just leadership and courage. So to me, those lessons are so important to pass on to the next generation. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 8:34 I think you hit it on the, you know, hit the nail on the head when you talk about sharing the stories, and as we share your story today, I think it's really important that our viewers and our listeners kind of really appreciate that not all leaders, you know, approach things in the same way. To your point, you know, you start off really shy, and you found your voice, and then you're able to even share stories of other leaders. I'm curious, in your journey, of, you know, how that continued to evolve, you know, where did you find yourself really championed, perhaps? You mentioned your parents early on, and you know, understanding your love for aviation, did they also kind of show up for you in that way of helping you to hone in on your leadership skills a little earlier? Col. Kimberly Ford 9:20 Yes, yes. As a young person, I knew early on that I wanted to go to college, that I wanted to achieve a graduate degree, and seeing those examples of my father serve overseas, and my mother alongside with him… Col. Naviere Walkewicz 9:37 Both your parents served? Col. Kimberly Ford 9:38 Actually, my father was in the Army, he got up to the rank of captain, and my mother, they had just gotten married, and my mother joined him in France, where they served outside of Paris at a place called Saran, France. So I just saw that example. They started taking me to museums, as I mentioned, they had me read books, but they did see that I was more shy and more quiet, and so they started really relating to me, they just passed along that I, that I'm a leader, you know, I am a leader in my own way. These were often quiet messages, they weren't often direct, but I just remember when I showed up at the Academy, they just, I remember that that message, that I am a leader, that I am capable, that I can do these jobs, that I had just as much of an opportunity to succeed, they were really just strongly, strongly instilled in me. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 10:37 I love those affirmations, and I'm curious, you know, obviously you went on to go to pilot training. How did that continue to evolve, and being a quiet leader, show up in, you know, in the cockpit or amongst your peers? Were there times where you had to be more assertive, or use a different voice? How did you kind of deal with how you're wired, so to speak, with what was needed for the moment? Col. Kimberly Ford 11:00 Yeah, so one story that I'll take you back to goes back to jump school. One of my friends wanted me to take jump school, I was really uncertain about this, and she's like, "No, we let's take jump school together.” We were both seniors, and it was just a great opportunity. We went through the training. I had always thought of the people that did jump school as just these amazing people. I wasn't sure if I could just reach that pinnacle. I'm so lucky that we made it. We both made it to the through the training, and then you get to the point where you, you're standing in the door, so this is the point where you take all of your training and you are going to execute this training, and you're going to face this really critical, intense moment. And so to me it was sort of like a parallel of I was finding my voice, I'm a cadet, and then I have the chance to go to pilot training. I remember before we stood in the door on the ground, I'd spoken to the jump master, which was really intimidating for me as a young cadet, and I said, "I want to jump out the door. Can you help me get there? Can you sort of show me how you get yourself ready to do that?” And so, looking back now, when I got into the door, he basically looked me in the eye, and he helped me to take a deep breath, to settle myself, and to take that big step forward. And I jumped out the door, and I went on to do five jumps, and I completed that program. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 12:21 I have to give you props, because I think the fact that you recognized in yourself, giving yourself the permission to ask for help, right? You said, "Can you help me get to and through the door and accomplish this jump?” And then go on to get your jump wings. I think it's really powerful and a leadership lesson in itself. Was that something that you just you — it happened, or you've seen it modeled before you, or you just, it was just something in you that, “I'm going to ask for help here?” Col. Kimberly Ford 12:52 He certainly helped me to get that warrior mindset. So, I believe even back before, you know, maybe wanting to do a certain program at in high school, or even wanting to apply for the Academy, my father said, “You know, you just have to step forward and do it.” Also, dating back to my father's father, who was one of the first Black policemen in Baltimore City. He was a very, he was also a very reserved man, very much like myself. And I remember speaking to him about being nervous about applying to the Academy and going to the Academy, and he said, “You know what, Kim? You've just got to get started, you've just got to take that first step.” So, basically, putting yourself in that space, that mental space, being prepared, being confident, and believing in yourself, and taking that step forward. I was able to carry that through, going to pilot training. I was really nervous. A lot of cadets had the opportunity to do a lot of flying, a lot of discovery flights or programs like Civil Air Patrol or scouting, and my parents were only able, they were able to provide me with one amazing discovery flight, but it was tough. I had to learn a lot of information in a short period of time. I had an amazing UPT instructor for my first flight. His name is Colonel, retired now, Kevin Mastin, and he actually went on to become a Thunderbird. He went to the University of Washington, where I'm from, so a neat link there. And I just told him about my fears. “I'm nervous. I don't know if I have what it takes. I don't know if I can keep up with the other students.” And he was — he said, "Do you really want to do this and finish this program?” And I said, “I really do,” and he said, “Well, let's work together, basically to develop this warrior mindset, or this mindset of focus, of intensity, of bringing your best, of being excellent like the Tuskegee Airmen.” So he really worked with me and helped me to do that. So I was basically able to bring that to serving throughout my career up to serving in Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom. You know, just really taking that deep breath, knowing that I am capable, knowing that I am a good leader, and sort of executing the mission, working with the crew, or working with the team that I'm working with at the time. So I'm really proud that that started, as you know, as a child with my parents was honed also at the Air Force Academy and with other mentors through my career. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 15:15 Were there particular pillars of leadership or things that he said this is how, you know, your process to thinking like a warrior having that warrior mindset. What did that look like? Col. Kimberly Ford 15:25 Yes, yes, he always he focused on telling me to sort of don't listen to the noise and the other inputs. You know, fly the airplane and focus on the important tenets, the important things that you need to do. You know, “You need to fly the airplane into the air, you need to make it act in ways that you want it to act.” He spoke with me about, you know, learning all of the information, such as, you know, chair flying or visualizing. He said, "I want you to know that information cold. So, if you know the information cold and you're nervous, you're it'll allow you to fly the airplane and focus. So, we would actually have study sessions where we would go to the squadron, and we would basically go through our steps and procedures, and just really practice focusing and just eliminating all of that noise, flying the aircraft, and putting the airplane, you know, in acrobatics and VFR flight and IFR flight. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 16:20 And for someone who's not in aviation, what does VFR flight and IFR flight mean? Col. Kimberly Ford 16:23 Visual flight rules, where you can see, and instrument flight rules, where there are clouds, and you're not to see the ground. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 16:31 Well, I can imagine that's really helpful, going through the repetition of actually being in the cockpit, you know, not in the cockpit, right? Like you said, chair flying. I think that's really powerful, visualizing. Were there any other kind of key instructions or thoughts in that process of putting on the warrior mindset and being able to push through any of the self-doubt or kind of the reservations that not just you but I think other leaders share? Col. Kimberly Ford 16:57 I think it's also, you know, being the consummate professional, you know, always learning about your craft, so I'm always learning something new, I'm always reading, always listening to what others might say, always listening to feedback. And always showing up, you know, being early, looking professional, having your uniform look well — just sort of those are some of the other tenants that he taught me, also. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 17:24 And I think about what you're doing now. So you're a current pilot with Alaska Airlines. Oftentimes, you know, many of our graduates do go into, especially those who served as pilots, go into, I think, you know, commercial aviation. You know, was that an easy process for you? How did that challenge you as a leader? Was that something that was already kind of written in your game plan of life? Col. Kimberly Ford 17:47 Right, so I actually became a commercial pilot in 2001, so it was right around the time of 9/11. It was a little bit challenging, just because I had just finished my active duty, where I was flying the KC-135. I did the Kosovo operations, and also Northern and Southern Watch, where you're basically flying around Saudi Arabia. I finished that and I was just starting my time as an Air Force reservist as a C-17 pilot. So I did initial training for the MD-80 at the time, which was an older passenger airline for Alaska Airlines, and I was also starting training for the C-17. There is quite a difference in culture — you're learning with, you know, working with a different crew, slightly different style of crew resource management. Your purpose is, you know, a little bit different. You're flying passengers and some cargo to get to where they need to go. So I'm really lucky that I was able to rely on mentors to step me through, do that visualizing and share flying. Soon after that, I was actually called up to serve full time for the Air Force for about three to five years for Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, that's operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. So I always had to, you know, I took copious notes. We had a lot of conversations on those flight decks as we were doing our military operations. There were a lot of Alaska Airlines and other airline pilots, and so I'm so lucky that I could fly with some really experienced crew members who could really talk to me about this civilian procedures. It is fast paced — you're working at large civilian airports, so I had to learn those standardized procedures, and I had to learn to work with the crews to be able to execute that civilian mission well. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 19:41 I'm curious about, you know, your service while you were deployed in support of those different operations. If you could talk about where you saw yourself evolve as a leader. How did you continue to grow in that space from, you know, where you started as a quiet, more reserved leader, still quite passionate, but where did that show up, and how did it show up in the deployed spaces? Col. Kimberly Ford 20:06 Right, let's see, in the deployed spaces, just to give people an idea of the operations at the time, they were a very fast-paced. This is like around 2001, 2002 and on. We had to fly a large part of the mission because a lot of the experience was in the Air Force Reserve. I was serving at a joint-based Lewis-McChord, and so we would take large contingents of especially Army personnel from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, usually to the East Coast, maybe to Europe, such as Germany, and then overseas. It might have been the opportunity for me to sort of have a briefing, and then in general the mission would match the briefing, usually, usually in the KC-135. I would say in the C-17 it was very intense, where you were on alert, and then the mission could change and evolve. It might be incredibly intense where it was at night, — you might be landing with night vision goggles on a runway that wasn't lit, and so they were very intricate details. So changing mission, very intense missions. In the last part was very long missions. So I believe that I had to really dig deep and always be willing to have that resilience and more resilience and more endurance than I'd ever, ever had before. Also, working with a larger crew for a longer period of time. Just really — I knew that the people around me knew their jobs well, they were motivated, they wanted to serve, and they could execute well, and they were passionate about the mission, so I think just having that stamina and endurance, and flying in more challenging conditions. Definitely. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 21:57 When you're stepping into some of those roles, there's this need to build a team very quickly, and trust, and you know, obviously leadership is part of pulling all that together. How did you do that successfully? I mean, aside from, you know, having stamina and really just, I think, being ready, were there any other things that you thought you really tapped into from your strengths that helped you to navigate that cohesion and that trust together pretty quickly? Col. Kimberly Ford 22:24 Right, it seems like one of the easiest ways to build trust and have that team as — there are really standardized roles that are expected in the crew, and when the crew knows that you know your role inside and out, and that you can execute well, that you will, you know, speak the way you need to speak, that you'll fly the way you need to fly, that really quickly helps to build trust. I think, also, it helps to be able to speak through the mission to be able to talk about some of those key crunch points, and you know, options that we would have as a crew, and basically work together to make decisions, and also if that one person had information that the rest of the crew didn't have, such as the need to go around or to stop or to turn the other way, that the entire crew, especially the other pilot, would listen to that information and execute immediately. So, building that trust by performing your role, being prepared, going over the mission, going over those crunch points and acting quickly when you needed to act, that really seemed to form a cohesive crew. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 23:38 You know, if we can go back a little bit, I'm curious to your time, you know — I guess it's not really going back, it's a bit more current now — but you'd mentioned a little bit ago that working with Alaska Airlines, the pace is a little different, and the mission has changed. I'm curious on how your leadership has evolved when you think about a changing mission, and maybe it's not life or death or national security, but how do you continue to evolve as a leader when the stakes aren't as high? Col. Kimberly Ford 24:06 Right, right, so in the military mission, it was more — it was usually time critical, and it called for often a very assertive type of quiet leadership. So you're still bringing that assertive type of quiet leadership, but you're also bringing customer service to families and passengers who are getting to where they need to go, whether it be a vacation or to visit family, or, you know, taking a businessperson where they want me to go, so you're having that patience, letting people know that they're welcome, that you're happy to see them on board, you're working with crew members who may not have that sort of military background. And so there are different communication styles, different, you know, they're different people, and so you're really sort of reading who they are and making sure that you can communicate information in a way that is effective for them as a person, and their age and experience level. You are — it is also a compressed timeframe, so ensuring that you're getting loaded and boarded within that timeframe, and sort of helping the airline to get those, you know, different pushes of different aircraft at different times off on time. So I think I had to just sort of maybe dial it back a little bit in my presentation; make sure I just gave that great customer service. I would say in the cockpit it is that same — in the flight deck, I'm sorry — you're giving that same crew resource management. That same — building that same trust within the person who, you know, letting them know that you know your job and that you're ready to execute. So I would say it's probably more the same within the flight deck there. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 25:53 I would almost go so far as to say is the ability to understand when you need to assert more, and when maybe a more quiet and customer service-oriented leadership style needs to be used — you almost have a superpower of understanding when to employ them, and I might, I might ask you this: You know, how do you help others who maybe have the other side of the leadership spectrum, where they come in very — “I'm a very assertive type leader.” How do you help them see the value in your approach that is natural to you? Col. Kimberly Ford 26:25 We have a moment at the end of our flights at Alaska Airlines, where we sort of, we sit back and we basically say, “How do we think that went?” You know, “What could we change?” And we speak about, you know, “How did the crew receive our message? How did the passengers receive our message? How did the gate personnel receive our message?” And sometimes you could say, like, “OK, well, maybe we could have said this this way. Maybe we could have responded this way as we were flying the approach.” And so I'm able to sort of give my perspective, and maybe how I might have done things, or perhaps sometimes the will divide duties, and the captain will say, "OK, I see here, maybe you would be great at doing this duty, could you take this over?” And so I think that's how I can show that maybe a different style of leadership would be more effective in those certain situations, and we're trained to really listen and just take in the feedback that's coming towards us, and I would say all of the crew members are very good at listening, adjusting and taking in what's offered to them. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 27:28 By you kind of sharing the ability to listen, but also share your perspectives, I think, in itself, is another great leadership lesson that strong leaders have the ability to listen to others and take in other inputs before making decisions or moving forward. So I think that was a wonderful recollection of how you do that in the civilian world in aviation. So one of the things we love to do is ask our guests: What they're doing every day to be a better leader? Would you mind sharing with us what that is? Col. Kimberly Ford 27:59 Let's see, I do a number of things. One is I try to take a quiet moment just to do some breathing and just really to center myself and ground myself, so a quiet moment. I'm trying to get enough sleep. It's amazing how much, you know, good sleep can affect your ability to execute your day properly. I'm trying to get some exercise every day, so whether it be — I'm trying to do a lot of weightlifting, Pilates, yoga, doing things to strengthen myself as well as ground myself. And I'm also making sure I'm taking a break to do something fun, you know, something that I enjoy with my spouse or a friend, going out to lunch or something like that. So, you know, trying to take care of myself and make sure I take some time for fun and just set time for grounding and for breathing a few minutes each day. I find those things very helpful. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 28:57 Is that something that you sort of employed as, you know, you've become more understanding of time and experience, or have you always kind of operated in that way — just to kind of appreciate the moments, you know, take time to fill your cup, etc.? Col. Kimberly Ford 29:12 You know, I would say that that is something that my parents instilled in me a long time ago. My mother instilled in me, especially just that: that breathing and just taking that moment and just grounding yourself. I remember we went to some sort of exercise classes together when I was in junior high and high school, so I'm really proud that she instilled that in me early. My father also exercised with me as I was getting ready for my Academy initial fitness test to get in. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 29:43 Well, frankly, I mean they really did help prepare you so well for being a cadet and then going on to be highly successful, both as an officer and then in the civilian world. But speaking of when you're a cadet, if you could go back in time now, Kim, and tell, you know Cadet Kimberly Ford, you know, something that she should be thinking about to be a better leader down the road, what would you tell her? Col. Kimberly Ford 30:06 I would say always believe in yourself. Know that you can do this, that you are capable, and you have an important perspective to bring to the table. Your voice is necessary, and you have something to bring. So, I would just say it's coming. Keep believing yourself, and I would also say to her, you know, keep finding different mentors, you know. Some mentors are sort of focused on the operation that you're doing on a narrow scale, and some are more big picture mentors, so rely on those mentors and peers, and continue taking that feedback, and always growing, remain a student, always improving, making corrections, and it's OK to have those missteps. And it's an amazing journey as you keep learning and growing and becoming a better leader. That I would tell Cadet Kim. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 30:59 That is outstanding. And may I ask you, what are you most proud of about yourself as a leader? Col. Kimberly Ford 31:06 I am proud of resilience, but I learned how to be resilient leader, you know, that I learned from my parents, relatives and, most importantly, through those programs and leadership at the Academy instilled in me that I'm a resilient leader, that I have a lot to offer. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 31:26 Awesome, this has been amazing. I mean, we always enjoy being able to take a peek behind the story of our Air Force Academy graduates and our leadership journeys, but I really appreciate the time, and you really pulling back the layers, taking it back to your family, taking it back to some of the, you know, just right away the lessons you learned from peer feedback and how to adapt and evolve and be resilient, and then when the moment calls for it, bring your voice back to those important moments when you need to help others see a different perspective. It's been an absolute pleasure having you on Long Blue Leadership today. Col. Kimberly Ford 31:59 Thank you so much. And I just have to say, Mighty '90 for the class, as well as War Eagles for the CS-15 War Eagles. But thank you so much. It's been just an honor to be here with you, and I have really very much enjoyed this. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 32:13 Thank you. And for all of you watching this or listening, be sure to share this journey with others who are also in their leadership journeys, whether in aviation or not. Right? Just looking for what are those ways that our leaders are taking shape. We do this on this particular Long Blue Leadership episode, and all of our others at longblueleadership.org. What really stuck with me about this particular conversation is to really be a leader for what the moment calls for, and I think that Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kim Ford, Class of '90, Mighty '90, as she said, did it really well. So until next time, I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99 and we'll see you on Long Blue Leadership, KEYWORDS Quiet leadership, authentic leadership, finding your voice, leadership development, leadership philosophy, resilient leadership, leadership resilience, mentorship, servant leadership, emotional intelligence, courageous leadership, confidence, self-belief, constructive feedback, growth mindset, warrior mindset, leadership under pressure, trust, team building, crew resource management, aviation leadership, military leadership, Air Force Academy, USAFA, combat leadership, decision-making, adaptability, resilience, visualization, chair flying, lifelong learning, personal growth, women in leadership, women in aviation, Tuskegee Airmen, Women Airforce Service Pilots, WASP, professional excellence, leadership communication, leadership lessons.   The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation        

Hosted by Fiona Scott, today's podcast welcomes Morgan Thomas, who Fiona met at Swindon Town Football club. Fiona approached Morgan and asked if she'd be comfortable enough to share her story on the PR not BS podcast. Morgan Thomas shares her experience of being a thirty-year-old trans woman in modern society. She tells us that she works as a DJ, Event Organiser and works as part of the Swindon Culture Collective. Morgan joins Fiona to share with listeners the challenges of being a trans woman today. Fiona starts her chat with Morgan by asking about her childhood. Morgan shares that she always knew she felt ‘different' but only became aware of this confidently at around 26, 27 years old. She states it's “not something you really think about because the only way to get support medically for being trans, is to begin by doing introspective reflection for the psych evaluation”, which ultimately talks about your childhood. She states “upon introspection, it was always a thing going back as far as 11, early teens. There's a period when you black it out, but it always resurfaces.”Fiona then goes on to ask if Morgan was fearful to face this truth as an adult. Morgan shares that it was ‘frightening because there's different problems for trans men and trans women. With trans women are more publicly vilified whereas trans men are essentially erased and put to the side. Both for the same reason because some people believe it is not an ‘actual thing.'  She shares that although she'd never been introduced to the idea of being trans by family, friends or school, it still happened organically. Fiona then goes on to ask Morgan if she feels happy, which receives an immediate laughing response. Morgan shares that the short answer is ‘no' because it's difficult right now because of the ‘current state of the country and the way things are legislated.' She also shares how the question is interesting because you wouldn't ask a cis woman if they're happy because it's based on the assumption that being trans is a choice and not something you can't control. Fiona asks Morgan if these are questions, she gets asked every day and Morgan says ‘yes, the different places you work can have different cultural environments. She shares that her current workplace is very good, but she's worked in other places before where it's not as easy. She goes on to say that she ‘feels lucky not to have experienced much explicit negative, targeted harassment but that it's still there as an underlying thing, passively.' Fiona then asks Morgan why she takes the risk to be out there ‘publicly' and to share her story on social media. Morgan says it's her ‘basic human right and the only other option is to stay in your house forever. It's just human rights and it's heavy talk... I honestly would rather go outside and one day have it end badly or have a bad experience but at least I'm me and not hiding in my house forever because that's not living. She goes on to highlight how insane a question that really is, but it demonstrates the way the topic is slanted. She thinks it's a different topic to get around. The bottom line is to take a populist approach and appeal to common ground things like medication, gender affirming surgeries on the NHS, things that ‘any woman' might need.The needs she has for HRT are the same as cis women who need HRT for menopause. We should live and let live. Do we all have the things we need? What is the government doing?Fiona then goes on to ask about different projects Morgan is involved in. North Star New Wave Sound Collective, which is a loose organisation of rappers, DJs, photographers, visual artists who launch and make free music events in a mean well space. Fiona asks Morgan how this came about and she says it “came out of necessity.” After coming out of higher education, Morgan sought more opportunities to stretch her creative muscles and wanted to find somewhere to do performances when someone mentioned the Brunel Shopping Centre. Morgan has received grants from the arts council to support her endeavours and continues to apply for further funding to support her creative aspirations in the local community. She discusses with Fiona her plans for growing in the music industry and for becoming more visible online. You can connect with Morgan via her Instagram handle @denim_morgan or via @northstarnewwavesc for more information.To get in touch with Fiona and the Scott Media team, visit www.scottmedia.uk.Join our free Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/prtribe

For years, Jamie Lynn Sigler was starring as Meadow Soprano on one of the most iconic television shows of all time while privately fighting a battle almost no one knew about. This week, Jamie Lynn joins Melissa Rivers to talk about her new memoir, And So It Is, opening up about the MS diagnosis she kept secret for years, turning pain into purpose, and learning to follow where the love is. Melissa and Jamie Lynn also talk about family superstitions, her theatre kid roots, life after The Sopranos, the advice that changed her perspective, and the lessons she hopes to pass on. This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Entertainment Network by going to HurrdatEntertainment.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kneet Music joins Greg and Marc for a deeply personal conversation about trauma, healing, advocacy, and the power of creativity to help us rebuild our lives. Born in Thailand and now living in the United States, Kneet shares her journey through an abusive relationship, a years-long custody battle, and the ongoing fight to protect and advocate for her son. The conversation explores how music became both a refuge and a vehicle for healing, leading to the release of her singles "Rise," "My Man," and "To The Moon." Along the way, Kneet reflects on identity, recovery, cultural differences between Thailand and America, the challenges facing parents navigating family court systems, and the importance of continuing to create even in the midst of uncertainty. At its heart, this episode is about resilience, rediscovering yourself after trauma, and finding the courage to transform pain into purpose.

Shamea Morton is here! Carlos sits down with The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Shamea Morton for an exclusive conversation you won't want to miss. From her journey on RHOA to where she stands with her former BFF these days, and even those rumors that have been swirling online. One thing is for sure. Shamea and the King were long overdue for this one-on-one.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Brown grew up in a small town, pursued art in college despite every practical concern, and then spent years taking detours through anxiety and real estate before she found her way back to painting for good. In this conversation, Hayley sits down with the Greenville, South Carolina-based artist to talk about what it actually took to build a thriving creative career. Katie shares how she developed a style that is distinctly hers, how she built a social media presence that opened real doors, and how she landed gallery representation with Well and Wonder, Shane Gallery, and Gregory Irby Gallery. But the more honest part of the conversation is about what happens before all of that. The comparison spiral. The detours. The slow work of staying consistent when nothing feels certain yet. Katie is generous with the hard parts and it makes everything else she's built feel real. If you're in the middle of figuring it out, this one is for you. Follow Katie at @katiebrown_art and find her work at katiebrownart.com Friday Rewind: revisiting one of our favorite conversations from the archive. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this powerful episode of World of Wishes, we are joined by wish alum Aniyah Simmons - a vocalist, performer, and advocate whose story is filled with resilience, gratitude, and unforgettable music. Aniyah grew up in a small town in North Carolina, discovering her love for singing in church and dreaming of a future on stage. As a teenager, her life changed when her mother noticed something wasn't right and advocated for further testing—leading to a cervical cancer diagnosis. Aniyah opens up about the shock of hearing the word “cancer,” the intensity of treatment, and the mindset that carried her through it: “Is it curable? Okay—let's get to it.” In the midst of treatment, Aniyah was referred to Make-A-Wish. Her wish wasn't just to meet a celebrity - it was to sing with Jessie J. That wish took her to California, into a rehearsal studio, and into a moment that continues to shape her confidence and career years later. From hearing Jessie J sing before the doors even opened, to sharing the stage, to forming a connection that still continues, Aniyah's wish truly became the wish that keeps giving. This episode is also a beautiful tribute to family—especially the role Aniyah's mom played as her advocate, her support system, and her companion on the wish journey. Today, Aniyah gives back by hosting Make-A-Wish events, sharing her story, and helping build hope for families walking similar paths.Learn more about how can get involved at https://wish.org/sfla!Be sure to follow us @makeawishsfla on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn!Subscribe, Rate, & Review this podcast to support future episodes that will feature wish kids and parents' past and present, volunteers, donors, referral sources and everyone who contributes to this World of Wishes!

On this powerful episode of The Sound 228, We sits down with Zahna for a raw and real conversation about resilience, identity, and making heavy music with purpose. From stepping away from the spotlight to coming back stronger than ever, Zahna opens up about faith, mental health, industry pressure, and the fire that fuels her sound. This is not just an artist interview. It is a deep dive into conviction, creativity, and carving your own lane in rock music. If you like your rock honest, intense, and unapologetically authentic, this one is for you.

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Finding Her Voice: Vittoria's Tribute to History and Heart Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-05-13-07-38-19-it Story Transcript:It: Tra le dolci colline di Assisi, un antico ritiro spirituale si ergeva come un santuario di pace e ispirazione.En: Amid the sweet hills of Assisi, an ancient spiritual retreat rose like a sanctuary of peace and inspiration.It: Le pareti di pietra, consumate dal tempo, raccontavano storie del passato mentre la primavera accarezzava i prati con colori vibranti.En: The stone walls, weathered by time, told stories of the past as spring caressed the meadows with vibrant colors.It: Qui, tre studenti di storia dell'arte cercavano di portare a termine il loro progetto di fine anno.En: Here, three art history students were trying to complete their year-end project.It: Vittoria era ansiosa.En: Vittoria was anxious.It: Desiderava creare un'opera d'arte che non solo rispecchiasse l'importanza storica ma anche la sua espressione personale.En: She wanted to create a work of art that not only reflected historical significance but also her personal expression.It: Sentiva, però, l'ombra di Lorenzo e Giulia.En: She felt, however, overshadowed by Lorenzo and Giulia.It: Lorenzo, con il suo carisma travolgente, era sempre al centro dell'attenzione, mentre Giulia, con la sua creatività astratta, sembrava capace di trasformare il caos in arte.En: Lorenzo, with his overwhelming charisma, was always the center of attention, while Giulia, with her abstract creativity, seemed capable of transforming chaos into art.It: La Festa della Mamma si avvicinava e Vittoria pensava spesso a sua madre.En: La Festa della Mamma was approaching and Vittoria often thought of her mother.It: Un pensiero che in qualche modo voleva integrare nel suo lavoro.En: It was a thought she somehow wanted to integrate into her work.It: Ma come?En: But how?It: Lorenzo la stava distraendo con continue discussioni sulla simbologia nei secoli passati, e Giulia dipingeva volti immaginari, immergendosi in colori che parlavano senza parole.En: Lorenzo distracted her with endless discussions on symbolism through the ages, and Giulia painted imaginary faces, immersing herself in colors that spoke without words.It: Stufo di rumori e distrazioni, Vittoria prese una decisione.En: Tiring of noise and distractions, Vittoria made a decision.It: Si allontanò dai suoi amici e trovò rifugio in un angolo tranquillo del ritiro.En: She distanced herself from her friends and found refuge in a quiet corner of the retreat.It: Qui, tra il cinguettio degli uccelli e il mormorio del vento, il tempo sembrò fermarsi.En: Here, among the chirping of birds and the whisper of the wind, time seemed to stand still.It: Durante una sessione di meditazione guidata, ebbe una rivelazione toccante.En: During a guided meditation session, she had a touching revelation.It: Capì che il progetto doveva essere un omaggio a sua madre.En: She realized that the project had to be a tribute to her mother.It: I suoi ricordi d'infanzia, le lezioni di vita che le aveva insegnato, e l'amore incondizionato che aveva ricevuto erano il cuore della sua arte.En: Her childhood memories, the life lessons she had been taught, and the unconditional love she had received were the heart of her art.It: Con nuova determinazione, Vittoria iniziò il suo capolavoro.En: With new determination, Vittoria began her masterpiece.It: Dipinse un quadro che univa antiche architetture italiane con simboli della famiglia.En: She painted a picture that combined ancient Italian architectures with family symbols.It: I colori vivaci rappresentavano la gioia e le sfide superate.En: The vibrant colors represented the joy and challenges overcome.It: Ogni pennellata era un messaggio di gratitudine.En: Every brushstroke was a message of gratitude.It: Alla fine del ritiro, davanti ai suoi compagni, Vittoria presentò la sua opera.En: At the end of the retreat, in front of her companions, Vittoria presented her work.It: Le emozioni erano palpabili nella stanza.En: The emotions in the room were palpable.It: Lorenzo e Giulia rimasero in silenzio, colpiti dalla sincerità e profondità del lavoro di Vittoria.En: Lorenzo and Giulia remained silent, struck by the sincerity and depth of Vittoria's work.It: Persino il professore, sempre critico, le rivolse un sorriso d'approvazione.En: Even the professor, always critical, gave her a smile of approval.It: Con questo progetto, Vittoria non solo aveva trovato la sua voce artistica, ma aveva anche imparato a fidarsi del suo istinto.En: With this project, Vittoria had not only found her artistic voice, but had also learned to trust her instincts.It: Le aveva dato fiducia e una connessione più profonda con il suo passato.En: It gave her confidence and a deeper connection with her past.It: Un'opera che non era solo un tributo alla storia, ma anche un tributo al cuore.En: A work that was not only a tribute to history, but also a tribute to the heart. Vocabulary Words:the sanctuary: il santuariothe meadows: i pratithe charisma: il carismathe chaos: il caosthe revelation: la rivelazionethe retreat: il ritirothe meadows: i pratithe brushstroke: la pennellatathe masterpiece: il capolavorothe symbolism: la simbologiathe refuge: il rifugiothe professor: il professorethe life lessons: le lezioni di vitathe abstract creativity: la creatività astrattathe tribute: l'omaggiothe guided meditation: la meditazione guidatathe childhood memories: i ricordi d'infanziathe unconditional love: l'amore incondizionatothe ancient architectures: le antiche architetturethe vibrant colors: i colori vivacithe stone walls: le pareti di pietrathe spiritual retreat: il ritiro spiritualethe artistic voice: la voce artisticathe depth: la profonditàthe smile of approval: il sorriso d'approvazionethe touching revelation: la rivelazione toccantethe historical significance: l'importanza storicathe hill: la collinathe sincerity: la sinceritàthe instincts: l'istinto

On Episode 297 of Outside The Round, Matt Burrill sits down with Georgia native Averie Bielski. From writing songs at nine years old to moving to Nashville at just 18, Averie shares her journey of chasing a publishing deal, building a fanbase on TikTok, and finding her place in the songwriting world. She opens up about how a viral moment and a missed email nearly changed everything, ultimately leading to her deal with Sony. Averie dives into the grind of writing every day, growing through co-writes, and evolving from just wanting to be a songwriter into stepping into her artistry. The conversation also covers her upbringing in Roswell, navigating Nashville at a young age, building a tight-knit creative circle, and learning how to balance social media success with real wins behind the scenes. From early releases like “I Do Too” and “Wind Up” to her latest project, Averie reflects on her growth and what's next as she continues to develop her sound and story. Follow on Social Media: Averie Bielski: @averiebielskiOutside The Round: @outsidetheroundRaised Rowdy: @raisedrowdyMatt Burrill: @raisedrowdymatt Chapters (00:00:00) - Outside The Round With Avery Bielski(00:00:55) - Matt and Olivia on the New York Trip(00:02:31) - You're on Year 3 of Your Sony Publishing Deal(00:05:22) - I Tried To Lead A Church in Georgia(00:08:34) - FGL Are Coming Back...(00:12:26) - TikTok Songwriter Charlie Salvatore on How He Got(00:16:52) - Tennessee Songwriters on Moving to Nashville at 18(00:21:28) - Rock the Country Singer on His Future(00:24:43) - Olivia on Being a Young Female in Town(00:29:43) - "It's Like Dating"(00:29:57) - On Working On "Secondhand Smoke"(00:31:51) - Wind Up(00:34:44) - milo on Rihanna's 'Full Circle'(00:34:58) - How Much Has Your Music Changed Over the Years(00:37:49) - What's It Like To Have a Video Go Viral?(00:42:11) - Kurt and The Rowdy East Nashville Pop Up(00:45:17) - Delaney and Aniston Are CRUSHING It(00:48:26) - Muscle Muscadine on a Co-Op Tour with(00:52:25) - Tennessee On Travel This Year(00:55:44) - White Claw on the Key West Writers Trip(00:58:36) - Favorite Bars on Key West...(01:00:33) - Tommy's First Key West Drive(01:03:22) - How To Drive From The Bahamas to Scottsdale(01:05:42) - Are You Ready for Your Duet?(01:08:38) - What Advice Would You Give To That Girl Who MOVED Here When(01:10:41) - Avery Bielski at Rock the Country

Louisa Robb grew up in a chaotic and creative household.A dreamer father who never quite landed his visions. A mother pioneering her way through the Australian film and television industry. Dinner parties with actors. No financial safety net. No predictable path.So she built one.Economics degree. Hong Kong. Zurich. UBS. Managing Director. Global COO overseeing thousands of people.She fit the institution. She wore the suit. She prepared, over-prepared, and prepared some more just to feel like she belonged at the table.And for years, it worked.But something kept pulling at her. The creative child who grew up watching her mother break barriers. The woman who kept asking: should we really have to earn the right to be ourselves?What Louisa discovered after two decades at the top of global finance is this: culture is not a values poster on a wall. It is the set of behaviors people believe they must exhibit just to fit in.And that costs everyone. Especially women.The micro-injuries accumulate quietly. The promotions come without support. The networking happens on golf courses and in spaces that were never designed for you. And one by one, talented women disappear from the pipeline.Louisa left banking to fix that. Not with more compliance. Not with more control. But with a mirror, a whiteboard, and tools that finally put a number on what everyone could feel but no one could prove.This conversation goes deep on imposter syndrome, organisational culture, women in leadership, and what it really means to lead on your own terms.One of the most honest and grounded conversations I have had on this show.I hope it stays with you.Apply to work with me: https://www.michaelxcampion.com/Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelxcampion/Guest - Louisa Robb (https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-robb/)Louisa Robb is the Founder and Managing Director of Lucella AG, a professional coaching and consulting firm based in Zurich, Switzerland. With over 20 years of experience as a senior executive in international finance, including roles as Managing Director and Global COO at UBS AG, she now helps organizations and leaders diagnose and shift organizational culture, develop executive capability, and unlock untapped potential. She is the creator of the Athena program, a year-long women's leadership cohort designed to help women identify who they are, what they want, and how to get it. Her tools include Human Synergistics culture measurement frameworks and the Japanese philosophy of ikigai. She works with investment banks, insurance companies, and major international organizations across Europe and beyond.(00:00) Growing up creative in a world that rewarded conformity (04:10) A filmmaker mother, a dreamer father, and the hunger for security (06:41) Graduating into a recession and landing in Hong Kong (09:07) Being the only woman on the desk and knowing when to walk (12:37) Meeting a Swiss man on the Trans-Siberian Railway (16:36) What it takes to rise through each stage of a finance career (20:43) Micro-injuries and why women disappear at mid-career (27:54) Imposter syndrome and the discipline of over-preparation (33:46) Why she left UBS and what organizational culture really means (37:07) The mirror: closing the gap between intent and impact (44:35) Ikigai, the Athena program, and unlocking untapped potential (59:34) Words to live by, life principles, and what she is most grateful for 

Sara Tomko on Resident Alien, Representation in Hollywood & Finding Her Voice | The Brett Allan Show WANT MORE? www.brettallan.com On this episode of The Brett Allan Show, Brett sits down with the incredibly talented actor Sara Tomko for an honest, engaging, and inspiring conversation about her journey in Hollywood and the roles that have shaped her career. Known for her standout performances and grounded presence on screen, Sara opens up about her creative process, the importance of representation, and the personal experiences that inform her work. Sara discusses her fan-favorite role as Asta Twelvetrees on Resident Alien, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, character development, and what makes the series resonate so deeply with audiences. She also reflects on navigating the industry as a woman of mixed heritage and how that perspective continues to influence her storytelling choices. What We Cover in This Episode: Sara's path into acting and early career challenges Breaking down her role in Resident Alien and what makes Asta such a compelling character The importance of authentic representation in film and television Behind-the-scenes stories from set Balancing personal life with a demanding acting career Advice for aspiring actors trying to find their voice Why You Should ListenSara brings a thoughtful, introspective energy to the conversation that goes beyond surface-level Hollywood talk. Whether you're a fan of her work, an aspiring creative, or just love hearing authentic stories from working actors, this episode delivers both heart and insight. Connect with Sara Tomko:Follow her on social media for updates on upcoming projects and behind-the-scenes content. Listen & SubscribeDon't miss this episode of The Brett Allan Show. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow film and TV fans. Stay Connected with The Brett Allan Show:For more interviews with top actors, filmmakers, and creatives, follow the show across all platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 243 Desiree Cruz, CEO of Merge Worldwide and author of "Warrior Women," shares how personal trauma and loss inspired her to create a movement that empowers women to share their stories without shame. The episode explores themes of healing, legacy, and the importance of community. Desiree touches on how her daughter's passing fueled her mission to honor legacy and help women find their voices. This conversation offers insights into turning pain into purpose and creating lasting impact. "I want women to start leaning into their stories. I want them to be openly sharing their stories without shame and without guilt and without rebuttal." – Desiree Cruz Website: Home - Merge Worldwide LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desire-cruz-2a884334a/ Desire Cruz is the daughter of the most High, wife of Jesse Cruz, and mother of 3 beautiful daughters Haleigh, Mariah, and Faith. She is the Co-CEO OF MERGE WORLDWIDE AND LEADING AUTHOR OF WARRIOR WOMEN. Desire also is an international world traveler, event planner, transformation coach, and keynote speaker. She loves all things women empowerment, and enjoys nature in her spare time. Resources Mentioned: Join our next anthology project! Coauthor | The Liberated Woman's Movement The 200N1 Project - Ebony Nicole Smith Consulting⁠ ⁠Cristo's Wood Fired Pizza and Pasta ⁠ 1308 Buffalo Road, Rochester NY

Heather McMahan is a beloved comedian, actress and podcast host who's currently performing across the country on The Bamboozled Tour. In this conversation from April 2025, McMahan sits down with Jenna to reflect on her rise from performing at her junior prom to headlining national tours, how Joan Rivers influenced her career and how social media helped take her career to the next level. Plus, she opens up about the loss of her father and how humor became a form of healing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of My Rock Moment, I'm joined by Jenny Boyd, author of Jennifer Juniper: A Journey Beyond the Muse, whose life placed her at the center of some of the most defining cultural and musical moments of the 1960s and 70s. We talk about her childhood between England and Kenya, and how those early experiences shaped her independence, identity, and the relationships she would later be drawn to. From the pivotal year of 1964 and her connection to The Beatles through her sister Pattie Boyd, to the fashion and music scenes of London's swinging 60s, Jenny shares what it was like to come of age in the middle of it all. She opens up about her relationship and marriage to Mick Fleetwood, offering an unfiltered look at life inside Fleetwood Mac before and during their rise, including the realities of drugs, infidelity, and the emotional toll behind the making of Rumours. We also explore her time in San Francisco at the height of the counterculture movement, her experiences at the Monterey Pop Festival, and her journey to India with The Beatles, including her perspective on the Maharishi and the deeper spiritual search that shaped her path. Finally, Jenny reflects on life after the chaos, earning her PhD, working in the field of addiction and recovery, reconnecting with her father, and finding her voice after years of living on the periphery of fame. It's an honest, deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, and what it means to step out of the background and reclaim your life. More on Jenny Boyd: https://thejennyboyd.com https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Juniper-journey-beyond-muse/dp/1912666618 https://www.amazon.com/Icons-Rock-Their-Behind-Famous/dp/1684815444 Songs from this episode: Jefferson Airplane “Somebody to Love” Jefferson Airplane “White Rabbit” The Beatles “Dear Prudence” Fleetwood Mac “You Make Loving Fun” Fleetwood Mac “Landslide” Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” For more information on My Rock Moment, visit www.myrockmoment.com Follow us for photos and news of upcoming episodes at: https://www.instagram.com/la_woman_rocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: Finding Her Voice: Luz's Artistic Revelation at Alhambra Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2026-03-26-07-38-19-es Story Transcript:Es: El sol de primavera iluminaba el Instituto de Sevilla.En: The spring sun illuminated the Instituto de Sevilla.Es: Los estudiantes se movían con entusiasmo por los pasillos, emocionados por el viaje a la Alhambra en Granada.En: The students moved enthusiastically through the hallways, excited about the trip to the Alhambra in Granada.Es: Luz, una estudiante introspectiva, miraba con cuidado a su alrededor, con su cuaderno de dibujos siempre en mano, capturando pequeños detalles aquí y allá con sus lápices.En: Luz, an introspective student, looked carefully around her, with her sketchbook always in hand, capturing small details here and there with her pencils.Es: Mateo, su amigo carismático, tenía otras prioridades.En: Mateo, her charismatic friend, had other priorities.Es: Él buscaba impresionar a todo el mundo, especialmente a Sofía.En: He sought to impress everyone, especially Sofía.Es: Ella era admirada por su liderazgo y generosidad.En: She was admired for her leadership and generosity.Es: Para Luz, sin embargo, aunque Sofía era increíble, a menudo se sentía invisible ante su brillo y el constante enfoque de Mateo hacia ella.En: For Luz, however, even though Sofía was incredible, she often felt invisible in her brilliance and Mateo's constant focus on her.Es: El autobús partió temprano, dejando atrás los techos rojos y pasillos bañados por el sol del instituto.En: The bus departed early, leaving behind the red rooftops and sunlit halls of the institute.Es: Los estudiantes reían y compartían historias, mientras Luz miraba por la ventana, su mente un remolino de pensamientos e inseguridades.En: The students laughed and shared stories, while Luz gazed out the window, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and insecurities.Es: Quería mostrar sus dibujos, pero el miedo a no ser lo suficientemente buena la detenía.En: She wanted to show her drawings, but the fear of not being good enough held her back.Es: Al llegar a la Alhambra, el grupo fue recibido por una maravilla arquitectónica de arcos, patios y jardines.En: Upon arriving at the Alhambra, the group was greeted by an architectural wonder of arches, courtyards, and gardens.Es: Durante la Semana Santa, había una energía especial en el aire.En: During Semana Santa, there was a special energy in the air.Es: Luz admiraba cada rincón; la belleza del lugar llenaba su corazón de inspiración.En: Luz admired every corner; the beauty of the place filled her heart with inspiration.Es: Mateo, ocupado contando anécdotas, sonreía ampliamente.En: Mateo, busy recounting anecdotes, was smiling widely.Es: Mientras tanto, Sofía, siempre con un oído atento, se aseguró de que nadie se quedara atrás.En: Meanwhile, Sofía, always with a listening ear, made sure no one was left behind.Es: Luz, a su manera, se deslizaba por los márgenes, dibujando en silencio.En: Luz, in her own way, slipped through the margins, drawing silently.Es: Durante una pausa en los jardines, algo en el silencio la animó.En: During a pause in the gardens, something in the silence encouraged her.Es: Los olores de las flores y el sonido del agua en las fuentes daban a Luz una nueva valentía.En: The fragrance of the flowers and the sound of the water in the fountains gave Luz newfound courage.Es: Llena de determinación, decidió compartir sus dibujos.En: Filled with determination, she decided to share her drawings.Es: "Mateo, Sofía," dijo Luz con una voz más fuerte de lo que se sentía.En: "Mateo, Sofía," said Luz with a voice stronger than she felt.Es: "Quiero mostraros algo."En: "I want to show you something."Es: Los ojos de Mateo brillaron de curiosidad y Sofía sonrió, siempre dispuesta a escuchar.En: Mateo's eyes sparkled with curiosity and Sofía smiled, always willing to listen.Es: Luz extendió su cuaderno, temblorosa.En: Luz extended her sketchbook, trembling.Es: Mateo y Sofía se acercaron, observando los dibujos con interés genuino.En: Mateo and Sofía came closer, observing the drawings with genuine interest.Es: Los trazos de Luz capturaban la esencia de la Alhambra.En: Luz's strokes captured the essence of the Alhambra.Es: Parece que cada línea contaba una historia.En: It seemed that each line told a story.Es: "¡Luz, esto es increíble!"En: "Luz, this is incredible!"Es: exclamó Mateo, olvidándose por un momento de sus gestos teatrales.En: Mateo exclaimed, forgetting for a moment his theatrical gestures.Es: Sofía, con afecto en su mirada, dijo: "Deberías mostrarle al mundo más de esto."En: Sofía, with affection in her gaze, said, "You should show the world more of this."Es: Luz enrojeció, pero sus ojos brillaban con una nueva confianza.En: Luz blushed, but her eyes shone with newfound confidence.Es: Ese día, en los jardines de la Alhambra, algo cambió.En: That day, in the gardens of the Alhambra, something changed.Es: Luz sintió que su voz artística tenía un lugar y que a través del arte, había encontrado una conexión auténtica con sus amigos.En: Luz felt that her artistic voice had a place and that through art, she had found a genuine connection with her friends.Es: Juntos, los tres pasearon entre los arcos y sombras del pasado, con una amistad más fuerte.En: Together, the three strolled among the arches and shadows of the past, with a stronger friendship.Es: Al regresar a Sevilla, el instituto ya no parecía tan intimidante para Luz.En: Returning to Sevilla, the institute no longer seemed as intimidating to Luz.Es: Redescubierta por sus amigos, empezó a mostrar sus dibujos con orgullo, sabiendo que su arte tenía un valor especial.En: Rediscovered by her friends, she began to show her drawings with pride, knowing that her art had a special value.Es: Y aunque Semana Santa traía consigo sus propias celebraciones, para Luz, guardar y compartir ese momento en la Alhambra era suficiente celebración.En: And although Semana Santa brought its own celebrations, for Luz, preserving and sharing that moment in the Alhambra was celebration enough. Vocabulary Words:the spring: la primaverathe trip: el viajeintrospective: introspectivathe sketchbook: el cuaderno de dibujosthe detail: el detallethe friend: el amigocharismatic: carismáticothe leadership: el liderazgothe generosity: la generosidadto admire: admirarinvisible: invisibleto depart: partirthe rooftop: el techothe whirlwind: el remolinothe insecurity: la inseguridadto capture: capturarthe essence: la esenciagenuine: genuinothe anecdote: la anécdotato encourage: animarthe fragrance: el olorto blush: enrojecerthe gaze: la miradaaffection: afectothe confidence: la confianzato stroll: pasearthe shadow: la sombrathe value: el valorto preserve: guardarcelebration: celebración

Kate Hudson is a Golden Globe-winning actress who is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Song Sung Blue at this year's Oscars. In this conversation from December 2022, Hudson sits down with Willie Geist to discuss her role in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, overcoming her fear of singing in public, and balancing her creative career with running Fabletics and raising a family. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 285 of Outside The Round, host Matt Burrill sits down with rising country artist Emmy Moyen to talk about her journey from college to chasing a music career in Nashville. Emmy shares how she developed her songwriting voice, the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in her music, and how social media has helped emerging artists build real connections with fans. The conversation also dives into her experiences performing live, including festivals like Rock the South, and the lessons she's learned collaborating with top songwriters and industry professionals along the way. Emmy reflects on the challenges of navigating the music industry as a young artist, the power of community in Nashville, and the exciting direction of her upcoming music releases as she continues to carve out her own lane in country music. Follow on Social Media: Emmy Moyen: @emmymoyenmusic Matt Burrill: @raisedrowdymatt Outside The Round: @outsidetheround Raised Rowdy: @raisedrowdy Chapters (00:00:00) - Meet Emmy Moyn(00:03:02) - Tennessee singer-songwriter talks about his roots in Kentucky,(00:06:31) - Rick's Cafe in Starkville(00:07:57) - Belmont Songwriter on Growing(00:13:39) - Tyler Perry on His First Concert(00:17:33) - The Nashville Scene's Under 21 Talent(00:19:49) - Ben Williams on Working With Johnny Clawson(00:22:26) - Rock the Country(00:23:52) - Rock the South & The Neshoba County Fair(00:28:07) - Jason Aldean & Big X(00:29:46) - Tyler Nance on His CMA Tour(00:32:00) - Graduating from Belmont University(00:37:36) - Sabrina Carpenter on her New Music(00:39:03) - Tom Petty on Finding His Lane(00:40:05) - Tick Tock(00:45:39) - Tom Petty on His Music(00:46:35) - What do you like doing when you're not doing music?(00:49:25) - Have You Done Any Of The Running Events?(00:51:11) - Matt Brill on Emmy Moyen's Daughter Release

We talk with Manchester-based poet Amy about growing up without queer role models, first love with a best friend, and learning to claim “lesbian” with joy. The chat ends with her live poem about a double coming out in Wetherspoons.• childhood in Grimsby with little queer visibility• legacy of Section 28 shaping silent classrooms• first crushes, confusion, and a secret relationship• telling mum and dad in small, human moments• TV and history as lifelines for representation• reclaiming lesbian and standing with trans siblings• haircut, visibility, and letting beauty be ours• poetry from slam urgency to crafted page work• practical advice on safety, timing, and community• live reading: Coming Out In WetherspoonsFollow Amy on Instagram HEREPresented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Bendere Oboya joins Elise to talk about her transition from Olympic 400m runner to 800m athlete, and why she is now building something even bigger than her own career. Bendere reflects on representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics, the Commonwealth Games and World Championships, the rapid rise of her early career, and the courage it took to step away from the 400m and back herself in a new event. She tells us about changing coaches, briefly retiring from the sport, and finding new purpose in athletics. We also dive into Bendere's upbringing after moving to Australia from Ethiopia as a young child, the sacrifices her family made, and how those experiences have shaped her drive to create more opportunities for others. At the heart of this episode is the Oboya Foundation, Bendere's new initiative aimed at removing financial barriers to sport and creating safe, inclusive spaces for young people to belong, move and dream bigger. She shares why representation matters so deeply, how the foundation is already taking shape, and why this work has given her own running a whole new meaning. Plus: Returning to the 400m for the domestic season, life in Melbourne, fashion off the track, embracing her voice, and running with joy in 2026. -- Bendere Oboya is an Australian 400m and 800m runner. She has represented Australia in the 400m at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships, and holds a national record in the 600m. In recent years, Bendere has switched her focus to the 800m event. She trains with On Athletics Club Oceania and is coached by Craig Mottram. Bendere has recently launched the Oboya Foundation, which provides free weekly athletics coaching, with additional needs-based financial support available to cover competition fees, uniforms and essential equipment for families facing financial, cultural or social barriers.  Oboya Foundation: https://oboyafoundation.org/ Run Girl documentary (stream on SBS): https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/run-girl/2052085315730 The Good Gratitude: https://www.thegoodgratitude.com/shop -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don't miss a thing! -- Follow us on Instagram: @_bendere @runwithit.pod @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer

On this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Philadelphia native Ernestine Johnson, whose story embodies the spirit of America's 250th anniversary. A first-generation American with roots in Sierra Leone, Ernestine shares how her family's experience with civil war and voter suppression shaped her deep appreciation for the right to vote and civic engagement. What started as working the polls in her community turned into a journey of political activism, running for office, and empowering other women to step up and lead. Ernestine opens up about the challenges of standing firm in her convictions, the personal costs of public engagement, and the importance of finding strength in numbers. She also offers practical advice for anyone hesitant to get involved: how to move from “yelling at the TV” to actually making a difference. This conversation is a powerful reminder that defending freedom doesn't require perfection — it requires courage. Sometimes your one small step, whether it's attending a meeting, supporting a candidate, or running for office, can become the step that inspires an entire community.

On this episode of American Potential, host David Fromm sits down with Pennsylvania activist Angelina Banks to talk about taking that “one small step” into civic engagement—and how it changed her life. What started as frustration over local school board decisions turned into a journey through party politics, running for office, serving as a committee person, and even representing her county at the Republican National Convention. Angelina shares how moving back to Pennsylvania opened her eyes to the impact of public policy, why local government matters more than most people realize, and how just a handful of phone calls or voices can influence elected officials. She talks candidly about the costs of speaking out—strained relationships, social backlash—and why she believes it's still worth it to defend the principles that built America. It's a conversation about courage, conviction, and how everyday citizens can move from yelling at the TV to making a real difference.

Send a textDeja Fabro brings big energy, sharp observations, and fearless vulnerability to this episode of the MySGV Podcast. She is a stand up comedian and expressive storyteller who uses self deprecating humor to talk about mental health, infertility, everyday struggles, and the weird little moments of modern life that somehow hit all of us at once. If you love comedy that makes you laugh and think, this conversation delivers.In our long form interview, we get into Deja's journey back to the spotlight and why stand up finally became the path in January 2024. She shares how five years of infertility and a major surgery reshaped her life, and how writing and humor helped her survive a season that felt heavy and isolating. Her gift is the way she can make space for the hard stuff while still keeping it human, relatable, and genuinely funny.Deja performs across Southern California from Los Angeles to San Diego, and she is a regular at the legendary Ice House in Pasadena, one of America's longest running comedy clubs and a true San Gabriel Valley staple. We also talk about what it takes to build confidence on stage, how she crafts material from real life, and how comedy can be both a release and a form of hope.Watch this full episode if you want an honest conversation about chasing the dream, finding your voice, and turning pain into purpose without losing your sense of humor. Follow Deja on Instagram at @deja.giggles and stay connected with the MySGV Podcast for more long form stories from the San Gabriel Valley._______________Music CreditsIntroEuphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OGStingerScarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio LibraryOutroEuphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG__________________My SGV Podcast:Website: www.mysgv.netNewsletter: Beyond the MicPatreon: MySGV Podcastinfo@sgvmasterkey.com

In this episode, I sit down with Monica Padman, co-host and producer of Armchair Expert, for a conversation about her journey from aspiring actress to babysitter to speech writer to podcasting powerhouse. Monica shares how she navigated career pivots, the evolution of her role as co-host with Dax, and building confidence in real time. We dive into the behind-the-scenes of producing and editing episodes and new podcasts she's created (like Beth's Dead). Monica also talks about the impact of sharing her egg freezing journey publicly, the value of friendships, dealing with imposter syndrome, and recently being nominated for a Golden Globe. Finally, we dive into her favorite Armchair Expert moments, dream guests, our shared Friends obsession, and the process of moving into her new home!Key Takeaway / Points:Sharing my love for Armchair Expert as a long-time listener and ArmcherryMonica's career evolution from nannying for Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard to becoming a co-creator and co-host of one of the top podcastsHow Monica built her confidence, found her voice, and developed her unique co-hosting styleBehind-the-scenes of booking, producing, and editing Armchair Expert episodesHow her relationship with Hollywood and celebrities has changed as a fangirlNavigating opinions and feeling protective of her guestsWhat it was like sharing her egg freezing journey publicly, her current stance on family planning, and maintaining female friendships in different life stages Monica on the feeling of belonging, experiencing imposter syndrome, and her recent experience at the Golden GlobesFavorite Armchair moments, dream guests, and what guest surprised her the mostRapid fire: Monica's favorite hosting recipes, favorite TV show, current fashion pick, and most valuable lessons learned from Kristen & DaxListen to Armchair Expert HEREListen to Beth's Dead HEREFollow Monica:Instagram: @mlpadmanFollow me:Instagram: @cameronoaksrogersSubstack: Fill Your CupWebsite: cameronoaksrogers.comTikTok: @cameronoaksrogersYoutube: Cameron Rogers

Growing Up Interracial, Losing Her Mother, and Finding Her Voice Finding your voice and letting yourself be heard is never easy. One must go through a ton of hardships and overcome every shred of doubt to achieve this. Leadership coach and author Ingrid Dahl had to deal with grief and trauma to find healing and unleash her power; she joins Irene Weinberg to reveal what it took for her to recover from the intergenerational trauma she shared with her mother, the ways her memoir, Sun Shining on Morning Snow, discusses how to achieve self-transformation through forgiveness and live boldly in your own truth, and how writing Sun Shining on Winter Snow became both a vessel for Ingrid's grief and a catalyst for her transformation .IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:How Ingrid's parents' marriage challenged societal norms around family and marriageWhat is was like to grow up in an interracial marriage.How Ingrid connected with her mother in a shared death experience.The role of forgiveness in creating a more compassionate world where everyone's truth is valued.The connection Ingrid continues to feel with her mother.How to live with and be comfortable with griefSOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS INGRID:What is your advice to someone with a family member who cannot accept forgiveness?What was it like for you to grow up in an interracial family?What are the insights “never truly belonging” has given you?What was it like to heal generational trauma with your mom before her death?What was your path to rebirth, and what can you share with our listeners to encourage their own journeys to rebirth?WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aiQ7-TCe6E&list=PL7judgDzhkAWmfyB5r5WgFD6ahombBvoh

Now what did you think about what I said in this week's episode...Welcome to the replay of Blonde Intelligence, I am your host Ms. Roni and I always seek to give you exquisite cranial repertoire. What happens when a lifelong singer stops hiding? We sit down with LA-based artist Chelsea Klein to trace the path from secret songwriter to confident performer—and the four-year journey behind her new single “Karma.” This is a story about craft, courage, and knowing when your voice finally matches the song in your head.Chelsea opens up about moving from Utah to Los Angeles, rebuilding her vocals with coach Nick Cooper, and the identity shift that followed. She explains why her releases lean pop while her heart beats to classic R&B, and how lockdown reshaped her writing more than any tour ever could. We dig into the realities of live performance after COVID—safer seated pods, better sightlines, and venues that treat comfort as part of the show—along with the surprising geography of her fans, from London's steady streams to a second home in Brazil.Then we get to “Karma.” Co-written years ago and held back until it was right, the track channels a calm person's wish to feel powerful without becoming cruel. Chelsea shares how a perfectionist announcement-then-pullback became one last studio recut, a first music video with spooky charm, and finally a release that felt true. We also cover practical strategy: why Instagram is her engine for discovery, how playlists create unexpected U.S. hotspots, and when to drop singles fast versus pausing for cultural moments that demand sensitivity.If you're building a music career—songwriting, vocal development, release timing, audience growth—this conversation is a field guide. And if you just need a reminder that care and confidence can coexist, Chelsea's fan-first email community and measured approach will resonate. Listen, share with a friend who needs a push to ship their art, and leave a review to tell us what part sparked your next move.Support the show

Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson is one of country music's biggest breakout stars, with chart-topping hits like “Heart Like a Truck,” “Watermelon Moonshine” and this year's Grammy-nominated “Somewhere Over Laredo.” But long before the awards and sold-out shows, Wilson spent years knocking on doors in Nashville, facing rejection, uncertainty, and moments that tested her belief in herself, all while staying true to her voice and her storytelling roots. In this conversation from July 2024, Wilson sits down with Hoda to reflect on her long road to success, the power of patience, and what it really takes to keep going when the dream feels far away. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Finding Her Voice: A Winter Journey at the National Museum Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-01-18-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在冬天的一个早晨，梅琳和金海跟随学校一起去中国国家博物馆参观。En: On a winter morning, Meilin and Jinhai went with their school to visit the China National Museum.Zh: 博物馆坐落在北京的中心，宏伟壮观，有着数不清的历史文物。En: The museum is located in the center of Beijing, majestic and spectacular, with countless historical relics.Zh: 每个人都很兴奋，因为这是一次特别的机会，他们也正值过年期间，博物馆里充满了节日的气氛。En: Everyone was excited because it was a special opportunity, and it was during the New Year period, so the museum was filled with a festive atmosphere.Zh: 梅琳是一个内向的女孩，她很喜欢历史和文物，总是安静地观察、思考。En: Meilin is an introverted girl who loves history and cultural relics, always quietly observing and thinking.Zh: 少言的性格让她在小组活动中常常显得安静。En: Her quiet nature often makes her seem silent in group activities.Zh: 相反，金海总是充满活力，喜欢和同学分享他的见解，对任何事物都充满好奇。En: In contrast, Jinhai is always full of energy, enjoys sharing his insights with classmates, and is curious about everything.Zh: 导游带着大家到了古代文物馆。En: The tour guide led everyone to the Ancient Relics Hall.Zh: 金海在大家面前滔滔不绝地谈论古代兵器，引得同学们都围着他，表现出浓厚的兴趣。En: In front of everyone, Jinhai talked eloquently about ancient weapons, attracting his classmates who showed great interest.Zh: 梅琳站在一旁，她想参与讨论，但内心的羞涩让她犹豫不决。En: Meilin stood to the side, wanting to join the discussion, but her inner shyness made her hesitate.Zh: 时间有限，梅琳决定独自离开团队，去找寻自己心中的宝藏。En: With limited time, Meilin decided to leave the group on her own to search for her own treasure.Zh: 她静静地走到另一边的展厅，那是一片安静的角落，展示着关于传统节日的文物。En: She quietly walked to another exhibition hall, a quiet corner displaying artifacts related to traditional festivals.Zh: 一个精美的陶瓷灯笼吸引了她的目光。En: A beautifully crafted ceramic lantern caught her eye.Zh: 灯笼的旁边摆放了一块说明牌，上面讲述了这盏灯笼在古代春节时如何被用作祈福用具的故事。En: Next to the lantern was an information board, recounting the story of how this lantern was used as a blessing tool during the ancient Spring Festival.Zh: 梅琳被深深打动，她觉得这是一个很好的机会。En: Meilin was deeply moved, feeling it was a great opportunity.Zh: 回到团队后，看到大家还在讨论，她鼓起勇气走到金海身边，“金海，大家，我发现了一个有趣的东西！En: Upon returning to the group and seeing everyone still in discussion, she mustered up the courage to walk over to Jinhai's side, "Jinhai, everyone, I found something interesting!"Zh: ”大家安静下来，看向梅琳。En: Everyone quieted down and looked at Meilin.Zh: 梅琳稳了稳心神，开始讲述陶瓷灯笼的故事，解释它如何与春节的传统相关联，并描述了那个年代的人们如何通过灯笼来祈求好运。En: She steadied herself and began to tell the story of the ceramic lantern, explaining how it is related to the Spring Festival traditions and describing how people of that era used lanterns to pray for good luck.Zh: 随着她的讲述，更多的同学也被吸引过来，他们对梅琳的分享产生了浓厚的兴趣。En: As she spoke, more classmates were drawn over, taking a keen interest in Meilin's sharing.Zh: 金海惊讶地看着她，“这真是一个精彩的故事！En: Jinhai looked at her in surprise, "That's truly an amazing story!Zh: 你知道的真多。En: You know so much."Zh: ”他鼓励她讲更多。En: He encouraged her to tell more.Zh: 大家开始积极讨论这个文物的意义，气氛变得活跃而热烈。En: Everyone started actively discussing the significance of the artifact, and the atmosphere became lively and enthusiastic.Zh: 在这次经历后，梅琳意识到，其实她有很多可以分享的，不用害怕被忽略。En: After this experience, Meilin realized that she had a lot to share and didn't need to fear being overlooked.Zh: 她找到了自己的声音，明白了在团队中，她同样可以贡献出自己珍贵的视角和思想。En: She found her voice, understanding that in a group, she too can contribute her valuable perspectives and thoughts.Zh: 这个冬日的博物馆之旅，不仅让她亲眼看到了历史，也让她发现了内心的勇气。En: This winter museum trip not only allowed her to see history firsthand but also helped her discover the courage within her heart. Vocabulary Words:introverted: 内向的relics: 文物majestic: 宏伟spectacular: 壮观festive: 节日的opportunity: 机会curious: 好奇的eloquently: 滔滔不绝地weapons: 兵器hesitate: 犹豫不决exploring: 找寻treasure: 宝藏ceramic: 陶瓷lantern: 灯笼blessing: 祈福significance: 意义artifact: 文物mustered: 鼓起perspectives: 视角lively: 活跃enthusiastic: 热烈courage: 勇气steered: 稳了稳recounting: 讲述observe: 观察participation: 参与shyness: 羞涩mustering: 激起insights: 见解discovery: 发现

Lauren Jauregui from our FAVE Fifth Harmony, joins Mama Tish and Brandi for a conversation that goes beyond pop stardom. She opens up about growing up in the spotlight, the pressures of being in Fifth Harmony, and the blind delusion it took to get her where she is today. Lauren also gets candid about her Dancing with the Stars experience, the reality of fame, navigating fandom, and finding herself along the way. They talk honestly about mental health, healing, and learning to trust yourself again. With raw reflections and the occasional classic Cyrus tangent, this is a real, unfiltered heart-to-heart you won't want to miss!! Follow Lauren & your hosts: https://www.instagram.com/laurenjauregui/https://www.instagram.com/sorrywerecyrus/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/tishcyruspurcell/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/brandicyrus/?hl=en Thank you to our incredible sponsors: David Protein: David is offering our listeners a special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to davidprotein.com/HAPPIER Momentous: Right now, Momentous is offering our listeners up to 35% off your first order with promo code CYRUS. Head to livemomentous.com, and use promo code CYRUS for up to 35% off your first order. Chime: Join the millions who are already banking fee free today. It just takes a few minutes to sign up. Head to Chime.com/CYRUS Olive and June: Visit Oliveandjune.com/CYRUS for 20% off your first System! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hannah Marks is a bassist, composer, and educator living in New York City. She has performed at festivals including the Detroit Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and Kennedy Center, and currently leads an acoustic jazz quartet featuring NYC's most in-demand musicians. Hannah teaches at prestigious programs including Interlochen, Stanford Dance Workshop, and Jazz Camp West. In this episode, Hannah shares insights about her versatile playing style, her evolution from rock guitar to jazz bass, and what it's like to balance classical training with a thriving jazz career. Enjoy and be sure to connect with Hannah and her cool projects on her website. Connect with DBHQ Join Our Newsletter Double Bass Resources Double Bass Sheet Music Double Bass Merch Gear used to record this podcast Zoom H6 studio 8-Track 32-Bit Float Handy Recorder Rode Podmic Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens When you buy a product using a link on this page, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting DBHQ. Theme music by Eric Hochberg

In this episode, Diosa and Mala dive into their viewing of REBBECA, Becky G’s intimate documentary. This latest special candidly explores her roots, family, mental health, and the high-stakes year behind her debut Mexican regional album, Esquinas. From growing up in Inglewood to navigating grief, anxiety, heartbreak, and fame, this film reveals the woman behind the artist. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/locatora_productionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I'm not going back.” That mantra carried Yandy Smith-Harris from Harlem's Grant Projects to global stages, multimillion-dollar brands, and becoming one of the most influential women in entertainment and entrepreneurship.In this deeply raw and transformative episode of Inside the Vault with Ash Cash, Yandy opens up in a way the world has never heard. She breaks down the hustle, the heartbreak, the purpose, and the identity shift that pushed her to build an empire — even when the odds were stacked against her.Yandy shares: • How she rose from intern to managing icons like Missy Elliott & Jim Jones • The business blueprint behind turning Love & Hip Hop into a franchise • How betrayal became the season that elevated her the most • How she scaled YELL Skincare into Bloomingdale's—starting from her kitchen • Why “I can't go back” fuels every decision, every business, every move • The ownership, wealth, and leadership lessons she teaches her kids • Her journey through activism, motherhood, and protecting her peace in the spotlightThis isn't just an interview. This is a roadmap for resilience, leadership, evolution, and staying grounded while rising higher than you ever imagined.If you're building a brand, walking in purpose, or healing from your past, Yandy's story will shift your mindset and show you exactly what's possible.Inside the Vault with Ash Cash is the #1 money mindset show in the world.

Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: Finding Her Voice: A Young Artist's Journey in Vigelandsparken Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2025-11-29-08-38-20-no Story Transcript:No: Vigelandsparken i Oslo var et vakkert syn i slutten av høsten.En: Vigelandsparken in Oslo was a beautiful sight at the end of autumn.No: Trærne hadde mistet mange blader, og bakken var dekket av et teppe av gule og oransje blader.En: The trees had lost many leaves, and the ground was covered with a carpet of yellow and orange leaves.No: Elevgruppen tuslet gjennom parken med læreren, som fortalte om kunstverket.En: The group of students wandered through the park with the teacher, who talked about the artworks.No: Sigrid, en stille jente med stor interesse for kunst, gikk ved siden av sin beste venn, Lars.En: Sigrid, a quiet girl with a great interest in art, walked beside her best friend, Lars.No: Sigrid kikket på de imponerende skulpturene.En: Sigrid looked at the impressive sculptures.No: Hun tenkte for seg selv hvor mye historiene i steinene kunne fortelle, men hun snakket ikke høyt.En: She thought to herself how much the stories in the stones could tell, but she didn't speak out loud.No: Hun følte ofte at de andre elevene snakket høyere enn henne, spesielt Ida, som alltid hadde noe å si.En: She often felt that the other students spoke louder than she did, especially Ida, who always had something to say.No: Ida var vennlig, men hørte sjelden på Sigrids ideer.En: Ida was friendly but rarely listened to Sigrid's ideas.No: Lars snudde seg mot Sigrid.En: Lars turned to Sigrid.No: "Er du OK?En: "Are you okay?"No: " spurte han med et støttende smil.En: he asked with a supportive smile.No: "Ja, jeg bare tenker," svarte Sigrid, mens hun så på en statue av to barn som lekte.En: "Yes, I'm just thinking," Sigrid replied, as she looked at a statue of two children playing.No: Klassen samlet seg rundt Monolitten, den store søylen av skulpturer som stolt sto i parken.En: The class gathered around the Monolitten, the large column of sculptures that proudly stood in the park.No: Det var et virvar av menneskekropper som klatret mot himmelen.En: It was a jumble of human bodies climbing towards the sky.No: Sigrid følte en sterk trang til å dele det hun følte om kunstverket.En: Sigrid felt a strong urge to share what she felt about the artwork.No: Mens læreren snakket, kikket Sigrid ned på sine egne føtter.En: While the teacher spoke, Sigrid looked down at her own feet.No: Hun følte seg nervøs, men kjente at hun måtte si noe.En: She felt nervous but knew she had to say something.No: Forsiktig tok hun et skritt frem.En: Carefully she took a step forward.No: "Unnskyld," begynte hun, og stemmen dirret litt.En: "Excuse me," she began, and her voice trembled a bit.No: Alle snudde seg mot Sigrid.En: Everyone turned towards Sigrid.No: Ida smilte, og Lars ga henne et lite nikk.En: Ida smiled, and Lars gave her a little nod.No: "Jeg tror Monolitten viser hvordan vi mennesker alltid strekker oss etter noe.En: "I think the Monolitten shows how we humans always reach for something.No: Kanskje noe større enn oss selv?En: Maybe something bigger than ourselves?"No: " forklarte Sigrid.En: Sigrid explained.No: "Det er som om vi er alle sammenkoblet i vår søken etter mening.En: "It's as if we are all interconnected in our search for meaning."No: "Stille fylte gruppen.En: Silence filled the group.No: Ida kikket på Sigrid med nytt blikk.En: Ida looked at Sigrid with a new perspective.No: "Det var vakkert sagt," sa hun til slutt, med ekte beundring.En: "That was beautifully said," she finally said, with genuine admiration.No: Lars klappet henne på skulderen, ivrig.En: Lars patted her on the shoulder, eagerly.No: Sigrid følte et varmt rush av stolthet.En: Sigrid felt a warm rush of pride.No: Hun klarte det.En: She had done it.No: Hun hadde delt sin mening med alle, og de lyttet faktisk.En: She had shared her opinion with everyone, and they actually listened.No: Hele veien hjem, følte Sigrid en ny selvtillit vokse inni seg.En: All the way home, Sigrid felt a new confidence growing inside her.No: Hun visste at hennes tanker var verdifulle, og hun var klar til å dele dem igjen neste gang.En: She knew that her thoughts were valuable, and she was ready to share them again next time.No: Der i Vigelandsparken hadde hun funnet sin stemme, og det var bare begynnelsen.En: There in Vigelandsparken, she had found her voice, and it was just the beginning. Vocabulary Words:sight: syncarpet: teppewandered: tusletartworks: kunstverketimpressive: imponerendesculptures: skulptureneinterconnected: sammenkobletperspective: blikkadmiration: beundringpride: stolthetconfidence: selvtilliturge: trangnervous: nervøstrembled: dirretsupportive: støttendeconnected: sammenkobletmeaning: meningchildren: barnstatue: statuecolumn: søylejumble: virvarurge: tranggenuine: ekteadmiration: beundringrush: rushvaluable: verdifullevoice: stemmebeginning: begynnelsengathered: samletclimbing: klatret

MNCE joins Target Talk to talk about the path that led her from writing poems as a kid in Fort Worth to shaping the sound she is creating today. She reflects on the early influences that pushed her toward music, the growth she felt after releasing Somber, and what stepping away for a year taught her about herself as an artist. We also talk about how her creative world goes far beyond music, from dance to painting to fashion, and how all those lanes feed into her style now.She breaks down her new single losing kontrol, why it felt like the right moment to return, and the feeling she hopes listeners catch the first time they play it. MNCE also shares what she's building next and what this new chapter means to her moving forward.Follow her: @mnce2ocietyStream “losing kontrol” here: Linktree

"Write the book you want to read. That's when everything changed for me." — Miranda Smith  In this episode of Uncorking Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with bestselling author Miranda Smith, whose psychological thrillers and domestic suspense novels have captivated readers since her debut in 2020. From growing up in a video rental store to publishing 13 books in just five years, Miranda shares her journey, creative process, and the inspiration behind her latest horror-leaning novel, Smile for the Cameras. Whether you're an aspiring writer or a fan of chilling fiction, this conversation is packed with insight and nostalgia. Key Takeaways: Miranda's writing career began with a love of reading and evolved through trial, error, and genre exploration.  Her breakthrough came when she embraced her passion for crime fiction and psychological thrillers.  Smile for the Cameras marks a shift toward horror, inspired by her childhood in a video rental store and love of slasher films. Miranda's productivity stems from working on multiple manuscripts simultaneously and treating writing as a full-time job. She emphasizes persistence, collaboration, and learning from rejection as keys to success in publishing. Writing starts as a solitary act but becomes a collaborative process involving agents, editors, and readers. Buy Smile for the Cameras Amazon: https://amzn.to/4h0wWVr Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593983164 Connect with Miranda Website: https://mirandasmithwriter.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandasmithwriter/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mirandasmithwriter Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #MirandaSmith #SmileForTheCameras #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticSuspense #HorrorBooks #AuthorInterview #UncorkingStory #WritersLife #BookTok #IndieAuthors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industryWhat if the hardest season of your life became the spark for your life's work? We sit down with first-time mom and first-time founder Jill Olish, who launched Mama Outspoken during the pandemic while confronting postpartum anxiety, depression, and rage. Instead of waiting for a better moment, she built a platform that helps mothers find their voice, ask for help, and navigate the messy, unspoken transitions of motherhood.Jill takes us inside the decisions that shaped her path: leaving a rigid job for virtual assistant work, turning lived experience into a podcast and a book, and building a supportive village focused on maternal mental health. We talk about the reality behind the nursery photos—emergency cesarean recovery, intrusive thoughts, sleepless nights, and the isolation of early parenthood—alongside the practices that made entrepreneurship possible with a newborn. Her simple, powerful system “sticky note time” shows how to dump the mental load, prioritize what matters, and create momentum without burning out.Across the conversation we unpack sustainable growth, boundaries that match school calendars, and why rest is a strategy for resilience. Jill's mantra you are the mom you were intended to be reframes perfectionism and offers a lifeline to anyone feeling behind. If you're on the fence about starting a business, craving real talk about postpartum mental health, or looking for practical ways to juggle work and family, this story will meet you where you are and help you take your next small step.If this conversation helped you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find these stories.IG: @mamaoutspokenhrttps://www.mamaoutspoken.comSupport the show

Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industryWhat if the hardest season of your life became the spark for your life's work? We sit down with first-time mom and first-time founder Jill Olish, who launched Mama Outspoken during the pandemic while confronting postpartum anxiety, depression, and rage. Instead of waiting for a better moment, she built a platform that helps mothers find their voice, ask for help, and navigate the messy, unspoken transitions of motherhood.Jill takes us inside the decisions that shaped her path: leaving a rigid job for virtual assistant work, turning lived experience into a podcast and a book, and building a supportive village focused on maternal mental health. We talk about the reality behind the nursery photos—emergency cesarean recovery, intrusive thoughts, sleepless nights, and the isolation of early parenthood—alongside the practices that made entrepreneurship possible with a newborn. Her simple, powerful system “sticky note time” shows how to dump the mental load, prioritize what matters, and create momentum without burning out.Across the conversation we unpack sustainable growth, boundaries that match school calendars, and why rest is a strategy for resilience. Jill's mantra you are the mom you were intended to be reframes perfectionism and offers a lifeline to anyone feeling behind. If you're on the fence about starting a business, craving real talk about postpartum mental health, or looking for practical ways to juggle work and family, this story will meet you where you are and help you take your next small step.If this conversation helped you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find these stories.IG: @mamaoutspokenhrttps://www.mamaoutspoken.comSupport the show

In this episode of Tales From The Green Room, recorded backstage at the 2025 High Sierra Music Festival, host Dennis Strazulo sits down with hardcore New Yorker and bad-ass bass player, Karina Rykman. Karina shares her experiences growing up in a highly intellectual family, her early start in punk bands at the age of 12, and her journey through various musical styles - including her experiences in the improvisational jam band scene -  leading to her current solo projects and other collaborations. The conversation delves into her time playing with renowned multi-instrumentalists and Joe Russo's Almost Dead's keyboard player, Marco Benevento, the influence of her professional background in the music business, and how that shaped her career as a performer. Reflecting on her influences and the eclectic style defining her performances, Karina also addresses the importance of songwriting -  how she has developed that craft - and her approach to creating music that integrates structured songs with improvisational elements.This fun and insightful interview captures Karina Rykman's vibrant personality with rich dialogue highlighting her talent, adaptability, and dedication to her craft.If you don't find Karina playing around New York City while rejuvenating from her summer tour, catch her at the Hard Rock Riviera Maya January 20 - 24, 2026 as part of Widespread Panic's Panic En La PlayaHIGHLIGHTS And then for the next seven and a half years, I worked for Rocks Off and ended up as a GM. I made a whole salary. That was my whole life. I was working, working, working…and playing in five bands at the same time, and getting kind of cool illustrious gigs -  I was on the Today Show with Julia Michaels backing her up and played on America's Got Talent in the backing band -  like I was doing shit for sure - but I never ever thought that would parlay itself to where I would play music for a living. There was not a part of me that thought that would be a thing.-Karina Rykman on the unexpected outcome of her music career. It's very intoxicating to have people sing your songs back at you. It is very intoxicating! And to see Joy Ride, my song, being played on NFL football games. It's being played on the radio. Like all these things where I'm just like, shit…that's crazy.-Karina Rykman on writing songs. I met my band mates, and I asked them to practice improvising with me because I got this crazy gig where it was gonna be an hour of improv. IAnd they were like, yeah. And then all of a sudden we got all these gigs and all this attention. We were just stepping on stage with no roadmap, zero, not an A section, not a B section, not a cover, nothing, and just improvising from the ground up. And people liked it. -Karina Rykman on the genesis of her improv bandLINKSKarina Rykman WebsiteMusic, Videos, Press, Merch, NewsletterKarina Rykman - “Joyride” (Official Music Video)Joyride, Karina RykmanVideo by Charlie CaukinAnimated by Charlie LaudKarina Rykman with Grahame Lesh and Friends at Pier 48 (Heart of Town) SF, CA Set 1, Night 3 - August 2, 2025Audio recorded by: Cam KeoughVid Cap by Ted SilvermanAKA TedToob.comSee Karina at Panic en la Playa - Jan. 20-24, Hard Rock Hotel, Riviera Maya, MXConnect with Karina RykmanFacebookInstagramTwitter/XSpotifyHigh Sierra Music Festival#KarinaRykman #HighSierraMusicFestival #TalesFromTheGreenRoom #JamBandScene #MarcoBenevento #JoeRussosAlmostDead #WomenInMusic #Joyride #BassPlayerLife #NYCMusicScene #ImprovisationalMusic #MusicPodcast #FestivalInterviews #MusiciansOnTour #SongwritingProcess #LiveMusicLovers #WidespreadPanic #PanicEnLaPlaya #BehindTheMusic #RockInterviews

Join host Jesse Jackson in this special anniversary episode of Set Lusting Bruce as he celebrates a decade of sharing stories, building a community, and diving deep into the emotional experience of Bruce Springsteen's music. In this episode, meet Anne Abel, author of 'High Hopes,' who opens up about her life-changing journey through depression, her first Springsteen concert, and an unforgettable trip to Australia to see eight Bruce concerts. This heartfelt conversation covers resilience, the transformative power of music, and the unexpected ways Bruce Springsteen's energy and passion can change lives. Don't miss this inspiring episode as Anne shares her incredible story and how Bruce's music gave her a new lease on life. 00:00 Celebrating a Decade of Bruce Springsteen's Music 01:16 Introducing Anne Abel and Her Memoir 02:24 Anne's First Springsteen Concert Experience 04:50 Anne's Journey Through Depression and Resilience 07:03 The Impact of Bruce Springsteen's Music 09:31 Anne's Struggles and Triumphs in Academia 13:39 Planning the Life-Changing Trip to Australia 34:05 Facing Responsibilities and Travel Plans 35:31 Ticket Troubles and Solutions 36:17 Concert Experiences and Writing Inspiration 37:47 Immersed in the Concerts 39:13 Post-Concert Reflections and Personal Growth 47:13 Life-Changing Trip and New Beginnings 48:58 Storytelling and Social Media Success 54:21 Future Plans and Final Thoughts Links -- Website - https://anneabelauthor.com/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@annesimaabel Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/annesimaabel/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/annesimaabel Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224003483-high-hopes Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1647429722 Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/p/books/high-hopes-bruce-springsteen-and-me-a-memoir-anne-abel/3d2947ef93ba68f1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 257 of Outside The Round, host Matt Burrill sits down with recurring guest Karley Scott Collins for a deep dive into her upcoming debut album Flight Risk, an update on how 2025 has been for her and more! Karley shares the deeply personal stories behind the songs and how the project represents her evolution as an artist. She reflects on what it's meant to tour with Keith Urban, the lessons she's learned from being on the road, and how Nashville's creative community has helped shape her voice. With a love for storytelling and a commitment to remaining true to herself, Karley talks about the growth she's experienced in recent years both professionally and personally. From writing songs that feel like therapy to dreaming of her first headline tour, this episode captures an exciting new chapter for KSC!  Follow on Social Media: Karley Scott Collins: @karleyscottcollins Matt Burrill: @raisedrowdymatt Outside The Round: @outsidetheround Raised Rowdy: @raisedrowdy Chapters (00:00:00) - Carly On The Keith Urban Tour(00:03:18) - KSC on Flight Risk(00:05:40) - Denim on 'Easy To Leave'(00:08:10) - Quit You(00:12:05) - Crying To Cowboy On 'Music To Cry To'(00:15:32) - Bad Boy and Shoot Out All The Lights(00:18:33) - Ke$ha on Her Songs Out There(00:21:12) - Keith on His Love Songs(00:24:47) - The American Boy(00:27:28) - Daddy's Habits(00:28:14) - Only Child & Madman(00:31:48) - Boskoe on His First Tour(00:35:03) - KSC on What To Tell A Girl In 2021(00:37:11) - Flight Risk(00:38:20) - Keith Urban on the End of This Tour(00:41:40) - Keith Urban on His Family's Reaction to His Success(00:43:32) - Tom Petty on His Goals for Next Year(00:44:07) - What Are We Doing With Our Spare Time?(00:45:13) - Keith Urban on His Keith tour(00:46:53) - Nick on His Grandmother's Birthday(00:49:26) - Keith Urban on Hosting Music Festivals(00:51:24) - Carly Scott Collins on FLIGHT RISK

Olivia Rodrigo skyrocketed to global fame with her record-breaking debut Sour, reshaping pop music with her voice, lyrics, and honesty. In this conversation from September 2023, she and Willie talk about the release of her sophomore album Guts, the way she tells stories through her music, and why she refuses to reveal the true inspiration behind her hit single “Vampire.”

Joining us today is Blair Sorrel. Blair is an author, innovator, and animal lover. She was Free Time's “Dollarwise Dilettante” columnist and Together Dating Service's matchmaker. She founded StreetZaps to protect dogs and people from stray voltage. Blair has written a memoir about her experience with Schizoid Personality Disorder. The memoir, A Schizoid at Smith: How Overparenting Leads to Underachieving, details Blair's struggles with it.

Self-taught guitarist Bella Rayne shares her inspiring journey with us, beginning from the serendipitous discovery of an old guitar in her Northern California garage during 2020. Bella's passion for 90s alternative and grunge music sparked a creative awakening that has since led her to The Grateful Dead and to performing with some of her heroes. Her story showcases not just her musical prowess but also her artistic inclinations in visual arts and film photography, with aspirations to create music videos on the horizon. We talk a bit about Bella's experiences navigating the Grateful Dead community and the jam band scene as a young female musician. She shares the thrill of playing with iconic instruments like Jerry Garcia's 'Tiger' and playing alongside notable musicians like Melvin Seals and John Kadlecik, and the unique support system her family provides along her journey. Bella candidly discusses the challenges she faces in a traditionally male-dominated space and her aspirations for writing original music. Her story highlights the power of music as a unifying force that transcends generational and stylistic boundaries, breathing new life into the legacy of bands like the Grateful Dead, Talking Heads, and Allman Brothers. This episode paints a colorful picture of Bella's journey from a creatively inclined homeschooler to a rising star in the music scene. We touch upon her early interests in soccer, theater, and visual arts, as well as her unexpected venture into singing and how it broadened her musical repertoire. Bella's tale is a testament to the excitement of new interpretations in music, and the inspiring role young artists play in offering fresh perspectives on classic tunes. Head to ⁠bella-rayne.com⁠ for tour info and more and follow her on IG ⁠@bella_rayne⁠ -FREE SHIPPING from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Tour Bus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Young & Sick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MUSIC IN THE COMMERCIALS BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHILLDREN OF INDIGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ No Simple Road is part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OSIRIS MEDIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music